One would think that facing a team from the FCS portion of football would be ideal after facing a team that is ranked in the top 10. However,the Illinois Fighting Illini don’t exactly get a cupcake as the assumption would be in Eastern Illinois. The EIU Panthers have long had a decently successful football program and are picked to win their conference, while being ranked in the top 20 for the FCS.

However, it wouldn’t be likely that even if EIU was a cupcake that Illinois wouldn’t be coming in there guns blazing. Still smarting from losing to Missouri 52-42, the Illini will look to start rebuilding their confidence in a game that also will be the rededication of Memorial Stadium, dubbed “Illinois Renaissance”. With several past greats on hand for the ceremonies, you can bet that the boys in orange and blue will be pumped up.

EIU also is trying to gain a bit of momentum after they dropped their season opener 31-12 to a feisty Central Michigan team. Eastern got most of its offense in the air, as Bodie Reeder threw for 201 yards in the loss. The defense looked pretty awful overall, giving up nearly 400 yards to the Chippewas, so it is definitely a concern of coach Bob Spoo coming into Champaign where he faces a very, very good Illinois offense.

But equally concerned about defense is Ron Zook. It’s hard to fathom being “ok” with allowing 52 points by anyone–even with an offense like Missouri’s–and the fact that Eastern is one of those teams that has historically relied upon its offense, Zook will certainly be very attentive to how his “D” responds this week. He also will be looking to have vast improvement on special teams, where the Illini performed pitifully against Mizzou.

If EIU would have upset Central Michigan last week, this really could have shaped up as being a better game. However, if the Panthers allowed CMU to put up 31 on them, it’s hard telling what the Illini may do. Welcome to the win column, Illinois. Prediction: Illinois 48, Eastern Illinois 17