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Josh Pate identifies the ‘sleepiest’ team in CFB in the Big Ten
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Josh Pate identified his “quietest, sleepiest, sneakiest” team in the Big Ten this season.
On 247Sports’ Late Kick Live podcast, Pate likes Illinois’s odds in the Big Ten West in 2023.
“Get ready to talk a little about Illinois this year,” Pate said. “They like what they have on the offensive line, and they got a couple of wide receivers and running backs they like.”
“This is like the quietest, sleepiest, sneakiest division contender in college football. Get your kids ready to talk about Illinois a little bit this year.”@LateKickJosh says don’t sleep on Illinois in 2023 🏈
WATCH📺: https://t.co/WfiGIChKnn pic.twitter.com/bFLYBiBEp3
— 247Sports (@247Sports) August 23, 2023
Pate noted the Fighting Illini, who went 8-5 in the 2022 season, was 95th in offensive points-per-game.
“But they were still a really good team,” Pate said.
Luke Altmyer, a sophomore who transferred to Illinois from Ole Miss, won the starting job at quarterback. Pate noted the news on Altmyer is no surprise.
Pate mentioned that Fighting Illini third-year coach Bret Bielema said it’s the best the program has ever felt at QB.
“Maybe a mild surprise, but maybe not,” Pate said, noting that Altmyer has been performing well in camp.
Pate mentioned Penn State visits Illinois for its first road game of the season on Sept. 16, the Nittany Lions “shouldn’t tip-toe” into the matchup.
“(Illinois will) not be an easy out this year,” Pate said.