Gameday (finally!) - Fighting Illini vs Missouri Tigers
August 30, 2008 7:00 AM
Illinois Loyalty Prediction
Illinois 31 - Missouri 27Chase Daniel is sharp and leads Mizzou out to a big lead early, but the tide shifts on the strength and depth of the Illini's D-line. The new and improved Juice Williams puts together nice numbers via the air, and continues his clock-eating drive-extending abilities on the ground in the 4th quarter to secure victory.
Last year
Missouri topped Illinois 40-34. After being down 37-13, the Illini's furious comeback came up short in the final minute when backup QB Eddie McGee was intercepted in the red zone. McGee replaced Juice Williams who suffered a head injury in the 2nd quarter. The teams combined for 800+ yards on offense (435 IL - 429 MU).The Illini's plus-seven win total in 2007 (2-10 to 9-4) was the best turnaround in college football and set a school record. The highlights of the year were a win at #1 Ohio St and a trip to the Rose Bowl, where the Illini were destroy 49-17 by USC. Missouri finished 2007 12-2 (only loses to Oklahoma) and smashed Arkansas 38-7 in the Cotton Bowl. Chase Daniel finished 4th in the Heisman voting.
Numbers
- Missouri leads the all-time series with the Illini 14-7. The Tigers have won the last 3 (all at the Edward Jones Dome). The last Illini victory in the series was the "1 first down" 42-0 blowout in Champaign in 1994.
- The last time the Illini won a neutral site game was the 63-21 drubbing to Virginia in the 1999 Micronpc.com Bowl in Miami. Since then they have lost 5 straight (3 in the Dome against Mizzou, 2002 Sugar Bowl against LSU, 2007 Rose Bowl against USC).
- The last time the Illini was victorious when both teams were ranked was 2001 when #12 Illinois defeated #25 Ohio St 34-22 at Columbus.
- Illinois' record in their last 10 games against teams ranked in the Top 10: 3-7.
- Illinois' record in their last 10 season-openers: 6-4.
News and notes
- Asmussen's preview.
- A high-profile non-conference win would be huge for the Big Ten.
- Illini's passing game has to step up.
- Benn recommends makeup for Vontae on the BTN's Journey.
- Mizzou's offense versus Illini's defense.
- A rivalry without the Arch?
- Blago wagers.
Illinois vs Missouri Thread Filed under: Illini Football, Missouri Tigers
