KU Jayhawks football vs. Illinois: Prediction, time, TV info for Friday night’s game
The Kansas Jayhawks play host to Illinois in prime-time Friday night at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
After defeating Missouri State 48-17 in week one, the Jayhawks face their first formidable opponent in the Big Ten’s Fighting Illini.
This will be the sixth game played in the history of this football series, and first since 1968.
Illinois (8-5, 5-3 Big Ten) arrives after surviving Toledo 30-28 last week. The Illini started hot last season, winning seven of their first eight before cooling down later in the year.
Illinois returned 15 starters this season: six on offense, six on defense and three on special teams.
Game details
Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. Friday
Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence
TV: ESPN2
Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City
Betting line: Kansas (-3)
Prediction
Boy, this game should be interesting.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold called Illinois a physical team, which they certainly are. This game will likely come down to the trenches. Can KU’s offense succeed against a team that boasted the No. 1-ranked defense in the country last season?
Former Illini defensive coordinator Ryan Walters is now the head coach at Purdue, and lockdown cornerback Devon Witherspoon went No. 5 overall in the NFL Draft, but this year’s Illinois defense is no slouch.
KU coaches and players have alluded to the Illinois defense all week. They aren’t going to let the Illini’s high-scoring game against Toledo catch them off-guard. That’s the kind of attitude KU needs in its first real test of the season.
At the same time, KU’s defense must pressure dual-threat Illinois QB Luke Altmyer and limit his running lanes. If the Jayhawks can make him feel rushed, he’s apt to make mistakes.
This game could be a close one, but I think the Jayhawks will prevail.
Prediction: Kansas 31, Illinois 24
Shreyas’ pick to cover: Kansas (-3)
Shreyas’ record: 1-0
Shreyas’ record against the spread: 1-0
This story was originally published September 7, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "KU Jayhawks football vs. Illinois: Prediction, time, TV info for Friday night’s game."
