QUARTERBACKS

Although Juice Williams went down last week, he is expected to start the game. Eddie McGee has shown flashes of ability if he is needed again. Both should be capable of winning this game. Redshirt freshman Matt Barr replaced Western quarterback Zach Wells in last week’s game and will start this week. Barr was sacked three times last week and that total could double if Western’s offensive line can’t contain the Illini defense.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

RUNNING BACKS

Rashard Mendenhall and Daniel Dufrene split time with each other well last week, and the offense may end up using both if Dufrene can continue to produce. Herb Donaldson is on the Payton Award Watch List for the best offensive Football Championship Series player. The junior averaged 128 yards last year and is probably Western’s best weapon.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

WIDE RECEIVERS

The freshman duo of Brian Gamble and Arrelious Benn played to its potential last week, combining for 122 yards. The receivers of Illinois totaled 316 yards on the day. They may be young, but the receiving corps looked good. Western’s receivers have some depth, but lack size with their tallest receiver, Carl Sims, listed at 6-foot-1. They will have to be play big so the Illini cannot key on Donaldson.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

OFFENSIVE LINE

The veteran offensive line did a great job of protecting Williams and McGee, allowing only three sacks and keying at the point of attack to help the offense gain 435 yards of total offense. The Leathernecks’ also allowed only three sacks, but the team only gained 376 yards against a South Dakota State team that is nowhere near Missouri’s level.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

DEFENSIVE LINE

The line played well, containing Chase Daniel at times, but it could have done more with pressure. It should have no problems with the Western O-line. Western has a three-man front, with Daniel Speight spearheading the line at nose tackle. It must slow down the Illini ground attack some and hope the Western linebackers will do their job.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

LINEBACKERS

It will be hard for Western to get too much past a group led by J Leman that is looking to prove something after the Missouri game. The Western linebackers are led by Travis Cherry and Jerome Bennett. The duo combined for 23 tackles last week in the four-linebacker scheme.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

SECONDARY

Although the stats weren’t as good as they could have been, it was to be expected playing a pass-happy offense in Missouri. The secondary proved it can tackle well with three of the top four tacklers coming from the group. The Leatherneck secondary showed that it can play last week, too, intercepting three passes and breaking up four. If it can shut down the Illini passing game, Western stands a much better chance of staying in the game.

EDGE: ILLINOIS

SPECIAL TEAMS

Anthony Santella made his debut for the Illini last week, punting six times. Jason Reda has yet to attempt a field goal. The Illini showed that they can play special teams exceptionally well, with the Vontae Davis blocked punt; and poorly, as shown by Missouri’s punt return for a touchdown, the blocked PAT and fumbled kickoff. If it is any consolation, Western’s punting game averaged 0.1 more punting yards per attempt. Its kick return unit was on its game last week, averaging 23 yards per punt. Kicker Taylor Rowan was called to kick seven times last week and made good on five attempts.

EDGE: WESTERN ILLINOIS

COACHES

Ron Zook did well to bring the team back from the brink of breakdown last week and almost pulled out the game with some timely game planning. If he can get the team to execute nearly as well as it played as it did in second half stretches, there is no reason the Illini shouldn’t win. Coach Don Patterson is in his ninth season coaching Western Illinois and is tied for the second most victories in WIU history. It’s going to take some major game planning and luck on his part to lead the Leathernecks to a victory.

EDGE: ILLINOIS