Illinois’ new offense is game ready

If you didn’t read my column from last week. Here you go:

Overall, I think this is what we expected. Sluggish offense. Sluggish defense. Highly ranked MAC team to come in and give the Fighting Illini a battle.

And a battle it was. All the way to the exciting finish.

Here are the charts:

At first glance, you see Illinois get to its 7-point lead and stagnate. You see Toledo’s offense try and score but not break through until Altmyer throws his interception on the 95th play of the game. That was the only time that Illinois played under its point total.

I want to pause there for a second. This is what I mean by playing under the point total.

In the final game of the regular 2022 season, Illinois blew out Northwestern, but even though the Illini scored points, they were generating negative EPA plays. Thus, playing below your point total….