For the Fans

"Tuesday Night Simulation" Illinois-Northwestern 11/22/08

Posted by: Tom Young

Thursday, November 20, 2008 6:35 AM

Game simulated using NCAA Football '09 on the Xbox 360

 

Only one game to go.  Man, this season has flown by so fast.  It’s hard to believe that this is the final regular season game.  But indeed it is, and the Illini have their backs against the wall.  At 5-6, they obviously need to win this game to become bowl eligible, and even a win at Northwestern on Saturday doesn’t guarantee anything.  At least winning the game will give us something positive to talk about. 

 

Like I have for the last few weeks, I simulated this Saturday’s game, and at least the game threw out a positive result. 

 

ILLINOIS 37      NORTHWESTERN 24

 

Juice Williams had a pretty solid day, throwing for 260 yards and 4 TDs.  As expected, Arrelious Benn was his favorite target.  He had eight catches for 123 yards and 2 TDs.  Chris Duvalt and Will Judson accounted for the other two touchdown receptions.

 

The running game was successful as well.  Daniel Dufrene rushed for 110 yards on 29 carries and a TD, and Juice added 45 rushing yards to go along with his nice passing numbers. 

 

Nothing really stuck out on defense individually, but at a team, the Illini totaled eight tackles for loss and four sacks.  The only question mark in this game for the Illini was Matt Eller, who was 1-5 on field goal attempts as well as missing an PAT.

 

For Northwestern, QB CJ Bacher had a darn good day himself, passing for 357 yards and 3 TDs.  WR Ross Lane was the leading receiver with seven catches for 120 yards, while WR Eric Peterman also tallied seven receptions with two of them being for touchdowns.

 

RB Omar Conteh was for the most part contained, running for only 82 yards on 21 carries.

 

Defensively, the player that stuck out was DT John Gill, who had eight total tackles with five for loss.  As for special teams, there wasn’t really much to talk about for either team.

 

 

First of all, I find it hard to believe that Illinois is around a two to three point favorite in this game.  Northwestern has had a good season, and despite some of their big injuries.  Backup QB Mike Kafka has stepped in nicely when Bacher was unable to go, and RB Omar Conteh has handled he RB duties with after the season ending injury to Tyrell Sutton, who still leads the team in rushing by a considerable amount despite missing the last three games.  Pat Fitzgerald and company have been pretty consistent all year, minus the Ohio State game, and there’s no reason to think they won’t come to play this weekend. 

 

At the same time, Illinois has to a little bit hungrier then the Wildcats.  While Northwestern is playing for Bowl position, the Illini’s season potentially rides on this game.  In a season where Illinois doesn’t have what you would call a big victory (Iowa at home is the best one they got), this could almost be considered as one.  I believe the Illini will be up for the challenge.  I believe the coaching staff is putting together a good game plan and will work their butts off to help these kids get that 13^th game.  There is no doubt that the Illini have more talent, but how will they handle the road, where they only have one win all year (@ Michigan)?  I think Illinois will win this game 31-28, and despite Matt Eller’s 1-5 performance in the simulation, I believe it will be his foot knocking through the game winning kick to give the Illini that sixth win.  As for a bowl game, who knows if we will get a chance to play in one even if we win?  At the least, it would be a great way to end the season not just for the team, but especially for a senior class that has seen so many highs and lows in their four/five years with the school.

 

Go Illini!

 

Comments

Be the first to share your opinion!