How Illinois Football can still win Ten Games

It was a tough day for Illinois Football today from the very get-go. After the Ducks marched down field into a 7-0 lead, the offense had a quick three-and-out after a missed defensive face-mask call on Oregon. The Oregon offense would go on to score in five of their next six drives. Defensive coordinator Aaron Henry was not ready for what Dan Lanning and this Oregon offense bring.

The Illini offense on the other hand could only muster five first downs in the first half. Quarterback Luke Altmyer looked off today as he missed open wide receivers on some throws. In the first half, Altmyer was just 4-10 for 29 yards and 1 interception in the first half. Altmyer finished the day 17-35 for 161 yards and two interceptions.

The Oregon Ducks are simply just a better football team. However, the season is not over and there is still history on the line.

Dillon Gabriel has Oregon in cruise control vs. Illinois 🦆
pic.twitter.com/xCyws0VEQQ

— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) October 26, 2024

Ten Wins possible?

Illinois, unfortunately, had some injuries in the game vs Oregon. Defensive backs Kaleb Patterson and Tyler Strain left with injuries. Also, star wide receiver Pat Bryant left in the fourth quarter with a head injury. That is not ideal for the players, or the team with a big game ahead against Minnesota.

Prior to the season, many fans were projecting Illinois football to win five games at most. In fact, a bowl game would have been quite an accomplishment. The Illini have already clinched a bowl game. With that said, I am not panicking after the blowout loss to Oregon. The Illinois fanbase needs to come to support the team once again as it has during the games vs Michigan and Kansas.

If the Illini want to win ten games, that means they will have to beat Minnesota, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Northwestern. That is so entirely possible.

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