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Greg McElroy highlights B1G West team as a surprise performer to start 2022 season
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Greg McElroy went on ‘Always College Football’ to predict some of the surprise teams in 2022. He chose a B1G West team as one of them.
Illinois has been under the radar, and for good reason. The Fighting Illini have 8 turnovers in the last 2 games, but there are still some good things about them.
“The Fighting Bielema’s if you will,” said McElroy. “Illinois is kind of winning in spite of themselves right now. This team has 8 turnovers in the last 2 games, that’s tied for 2nd most in all of college football.”
McElroy highlighted on the impact the Chase Brown, Tommy DeVito, and the defense have had on the team. Brown leads the team in rushing yards (496, 2 touchdowns), while DeVito has done a good job at limiting turnovers with just 2 interceptions so far. The defense has also quietly been one of the best in the B1G.
McElroy thinks that Illinois was just a couple plays going its way from being 3-0.
“Chase Brown is unbelievable, he’s electric at running back,” said McElroy. “I think (Tommy DeVito) has been okay at quarterback. This team could easily be 3-0. They’ve been a real positive. They’ve got playmakers, and defensively this team is flat out getting after you. They’ve done a lot of really good things the first few weeks.”
Illinois has a chance to got 3-1 with UT Chattanooga coming to Champaign in Week 3. That game kicks off on Sept. 22 at 8:30 p.m. ET on BTN.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.