All times Eastern | Game odds via SportsLineconsensus
🔥 The Hot Ticket
Illinois at Kansas, 7:30 p.m. | TV: ESPN2
The Pick: Luke Altmyer Over 29.5 Yards Rushing (-125)
Key trend: Altmyer led the Illini with 69 yards rushing last week
Honestly, I have no idea how this game will play out. It’s one of the reasons I’m excited to watch it. Kansas didn’t have starting quarterback Jalon Daniels last week, but it didn’t matter against Missouri State as the Jayhawks cruised to victory. The Illini, meanwhile, needed a late field goal to overcome the embarrassment of losing their season opener at home to Toledo.
The Illinois defense, with a new coordinator and secondary, struggled to contain Toledo QB Dequan Finn in the run game. Those struggles could continue tonight with Daniels. However, Illinois still has one of the best defensive lines in the country, and the greatest improvement any team makes is usually between the first and second games. So, maybe they get their act together, or maybe they do not.
There was one thing I saw last week that I don’t expect to change: New Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is much more mobile than last year’s starter, Tommy Devito, and Illinois has no problem taking advantage of it. Altmyer led the Illini with 69 yards rushing last week. I doubt he will lead the team again, but his legs will be utilized.
Kansas defense ranked 112th nationally in success rate against the run last season. That includes 430 yards rushing allowed to opposing QBs, which ranked 109th. Illinois will try to exploit it tonight in a tough road game.