Western Illinois @ Illinois preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2015 ) Western Illinois 0, Illinois 44

Illinois will look to move to 2-0 on the season when it hosts FCS foe Western Illinois in a Saturday night matchup. The Illini eked out a win in their opener, topping Kent State 31-24, while the Leathernecks are coming off a narrow 26-23 loss at Montana State.

Coach Lovie Smith was happy with the Illini debut of senior quarterback AJ Bush Jr, who had 190 passing yards and 139 rushing yards in the season-opening victory. Running back Reggie Corbin also had a big game, rushing 10 times for 79 yards and a pair of scores, eclipsing his 2017 output. Defensively, the Illini found a playmaker in sophomore linebacker Jake Hansen, who had six tackles for loss among his 15 stops, tying the Illinois record and leading the nation in the category. Quarterback Sean McGuire will lead the Western Illinois attack after he was 20-of-31 for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Montana State.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: None

ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS (0-1): If the Leathernecks are going to make a game of it against Illinois, they will need their running game to be effective, which means Steve McShane will need to be playing well. The senior running back had 76 yards on 11 carries in the opener but was also a threat as a pass-catcher, making six receptions for 40 yards and two touchdowns. With Illinois' pass rush showing some ferocity in its opener, it will be important for Western Illinois to be able to slow down the defensive line with the threat of a running game, which is why McShane could be the most important player for first-year coach Jared Elliott on Saturday.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (1-0): One problem for the Illini against Kent State was the play of the defensive secondary, where sophomores Bennett Williams and Nate Hobbs -- both out with suspensions -- were definitely missed and three true freshmen -- Sydney Brown, Jartavius Martin and Delano Ware -- were forced into starting duties. Both suspended players should be back this week, which will help the play of the secondary as well as the defensive line, which should have a little bit more time to get to the opposing quarterback. Illinois gave up 270 yards though the air against Kent State, a number that needs to improve this week but also in the weeks to follow, when Big Ten opponents will be even more potent in their passing games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Illini suffered a big loss in the opener as senior WR Mike Dudek was lost for the season to a knee injury, the third time in four seasons Dudek has played one or fewer games because of a knee injury.

2. Illinois WR Sam Mays tied a career high with four receptions for a career-best 47 yards against Kent State.

3. This is the third meeting of the in-state schools, with Illinois winning the first two meetings by a combined 65-0.

PREDICTION: Illinois 42, Western Illinois 6