TCR Staff Predictions: Illinois vs. Akron

Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesStephen Cohn: Illinois 52, Akron 3

This is the score of Illinois’ opening week games when we expect the Illini to win. This year we expect the Illini to win, so this should be the score of the game.

On a serious note, it shouldn't be like last year’s Kent State game. It can’t. If we want progress, Illinois needs to thump the Zips. So 52-3 it is. The One also will make his debut.

Michael Berns: Illinois 35, Akron 17

This is a hard one to predict because A. We don’t know yet what to expect from Brandon Peters in Rod Smith’s zone-read/QB run-heavy offense, and B. What Akron really has as far as potential playmakers outside of QB Kato Nelson. The…