Illinois ranks 117th in rush defense S&P+ and don’t have a defensive lineman among its top six tacklers (which features two linebackers and three defenseive backs). The Illini have surrendered over 200 yards on the ground to six of their eight Big Ten opponents so far (even Purdue went of 200 yards), and the two teams that didn’t go over 200, Minnesota and Michigan State, both went over 170. It’s been an absolutely dismal year for the Illini front seven, and Northwestern should be able to impose itself in that area after getting thoroughly beaten in that area in two of the past three contests.
Three things to know about the Illinois Fighting Illini
