Bob Asmussen, Football beat writer
You can get away with losing five players to suspensions against Kent State and Western Illinois. But Illinois needs a full roster to beat the Bulls. Thanks to the run game and defense, the Illini hang close before USF puts the game away with a late TD. Maybe the Illini will start 3-0 in 2019 against Akron, UConn and Eastern Michigan.
Prediction: South Florida 24, Illinois 14
Scott Richey, Football beat writer
Last year's game in Tampa turned out to be the beginning of the end for Illinois.