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Northwestern Football: 3 Takeaways from Wildcats win over Illinois

By Dante Pryor

LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 5: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats waits with the team to enter the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - OCTOBER 5: Head coach Pat Fitzgerald of the Northwestern Wildcats waits with the team to enter the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

Takeaways for Illinois

This is the close of a difficult season for Illinois. The Fighting Illini were one of the Big Ten teams most affected by COVID-19 issues this season.

Before the shutdown, head coach Lovie Smith and the Illini felt this was the best team Smith has had as head coach. Unfortunately, COVID and injuries have limited what the Illini could do this season.

Many players from this season’s team could return due to changes in eligibility rules due to the pandemic. The Illini could be strong next season if some of their seniors that are either not draftable or late-round draft picks decide to come back for one more season.

Takeaways for Northwestern football

Northwestern might not have a chance against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship game, but don’t tell coach Fitzgerald and the Wildcats that.

Northwestern does not get blown out. The Wildcats did find something in this game they had been lacking all season, some explosive offense. Though it came in the running game, fellow freshmen Cam Porter and Evan Hull showed some burst in the running game.

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Ohio State has shown some vulnerability to give up the big play this season against Rutgers and Indiana. One thing is for sure, the Wildcats are going to give Ohio State all they can handle next week in the championship game.

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