Is Illinois football a contender in the Big Ten West?

How many games will Illinois football win this fall?

September 2, 2023, vs.Toledo W: The Illini open its season with a home game against the Rockets. Illinois better strap up because Toledo is a talented team. The Illini take care of business as they honor the ’83 Big Ten Championship team.

September 8, 2023, @ Kansas W: This could be one of the more fun games of the early season. There are going to be a lot of points scored. Illinois’ defense is more trustworthy to get a stop late in the game.

September 16, 2023, vs. Penn State L: The Nittany Lions want to contend in the Big Ten this season. Suffice it to say that this is a must-win for Penn State. The Illini give the Nittany Lions fits but pull away late in Champaign.

September 23, 2023, vs. FAU W: Illinois needs to be careful here. They don’t want Penn State to beat them twice or Purdue to beat them before they play. Simply put, this is a trap game. The Owls and new head coach Tom Herman will be ready to play.

September 30, 2023, @ Purdue W: This game has given the Illini fits for years. Purdue has won 13 of 17 in this rivalry. Last season’s loss cost the Illini a shot at the West Division title. However, Purdue is undergoing a regime change and breaking in a new quarterback.

October 6, 2023, vs. Nebraska W: The Huskers are another team undergoing a regime change. The Illini win a hotly-contested game at home.

October 14, 2023, @ Maryland W: This is a 50-50 game for the Illini. Maryland might be the only team this side of Kansas that could take advantage of Illinois’ revamped secondary. The Illini win a close one on the road, but this game could go either way.

October 21, 2023, vs. Wisconsin W: If this game were on the road, the Badgers might have an advantage. Wisconsin is going through a regime change and breaking in a new quarterback.

November 4, 2023, @ Minnesota W: The Gophers are another Western Division team breaking in a new quarterback. The Gophers are going to have a physical offensive line and are going to establish the run. However, the Gophers don’t have enough offense to beat the Illini.

November 11, 2023, vs. Indiana W: After last season’s controversy, Illinois football has this game circled on their calendar. Illini wins this game going away.

November 18, 2023, @ Iowa L: Iowa has a clear advantage if this game is at night. However, we don’t know what this new-look Hawkeye offense will look like. Iowa wins, and they score more than 15 combined points.

November 25, 2023, vs. Northwestern W: The Wildcats are a mess, but they weren’t outstanding before Pat Fitzgerald got fired. Illinois wins the Hat in the season finale.

Prediction: 10-2, 7-2 Big Ten

The Illini are not dark horses in the Big Ten. The window is open in the West with so much turnover in the division. Illinois has to replace some key pieces, but the roster has depth, and the defense will be nasty again. If the Illini end up in Indianapolis, don’t be shocked.