Illinois (7-3, 4-3) begins the final stretch of its season Saturday against Wisconsin (3-7, 1-6). With just two games remaining, every down matters. While it isn’t likely they make it, the Illini were ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25.

Two wins to end the season would certainly help those playoff chances, though. Wisconsin is the first challenge. The Badgers recently won their first conference game, a 13-10 defensive battle against the Washington Huskies.

While they sit near the bottom of the Big Ten standings, the Badgers can compete with any team, as they showed against the Huskies. On top of that, there’s never a guaranteed win in the Big Ten.

With that being said, here are three bold predictions for Illinois’ game against Wisconsin.

Laughery takes off

Ever since suffering a lower-body injury against Duke (5-5), junior running back Aidan Laughery hasn’t seen the field much. He’s been up and down, playing a snap here and there, or never seeing the field at all.

However, during his weekly media availability, head coach Bret Bielema said that Laughery practiced all week and is good to go.

Wisconsin has one of the better run defenses in the country, but it’s slipped as of late. In its last six games, four of Wisconsin’s opponents have rushed for over 100 yards. 

Illinois is coming off its best rushing performance of the season. With Laughery added back in the lineup, the run game could flourish in Madison. The junior isn’t the leader of the pack in the running back room, but it isn’t unusual for Illinois to feed the hot hand.

Here’s a prediction: Laughery puts up over 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Altmyer sits back

Senior quarterback Luke Altmyer is having another good season. He’s among the leaders in passing yards and touchdowns in the conference. Recently, he’s gotten his legs involved as well, running for nearly 200 yards over the last three games.

However, he’s also been turnover-prone, throwing five interceptions in the last four games. Altmyer hasn’t been as clean as he was earlier this year. While Wisconsin’s defense isn’t all that good against the pass, it could have an easier time against Altmyer.

If the ground game gets going as well, Altmyer could be in the backseat against the Badgers. All he would have to do is play smart football and keep the ball safe. It wouldn’t be flashy, but it could be what Illinois needs for a victory.

Prediction: Altmyer throws for fewer than 200 yards.

Thanksgiving comes early for defense

The defense has been on a tear as of late. Illinois has allowed 13 and 6 points in its last two games, respectively. The Illini have been letting up a decent amount of yards, but they continue to lock down in the red zone.

One thing Illinois hasn’t been able to accomplish is taking the ball away. It has just 11 turnovers this season, and only one in the last four games. 

However, Illinois could be walking into a feast laid out by Wisconsin. The Badgers have thrown 11 interceptions this season and have 14 total turnovers.

The defense is getting healthier and has some momentum behind it. The Illini could have themselves a good day, and the Badgers are the perfect team to try and boost the turnover numbers.

Prediction: Illinois’ defense forces four total turnovers.

@ben_some16

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