Mike Locksley left Illinois to become the Head coach at New Mexico after the Ron Zook era had ended, and went on to accomplish some pretty incredible achievements since his departure in 2008. HE was former Illini OC during the 2007 Rose Bowl run. Mike was the Alabama Offensives Coordinator from 2016-18, and won the Broyles award for best Offensive Coordinator in the nation in 2017. Plus a National Championship to boot in 2017.
Fast Forward to 2023, and his Maryland Terrapins are 5-1 with some of the best offensive production in the nation.
The Fighting Illini are still longing for their “Fight” as they continue on their 2-4 season with a paper thin margin of error. Coach Bret Bielema has been adamant about changes being implemented withing the program to help spark some sort of identity and positive momentum for this team. Something for this team to hold on to, and create some hopeful momentum for the Illini. Illinois will have to win at least one of their tough matchups between Maryland And Wisconsin for any kind of hope at a bowl game with 6 games remaining on the schedule.
With the current state of the union…. that ain’t gonna happen.
However, if true technical and schematic changes were made to be implemented within Illini offense and defense that seem to get the OL moving, and pass rush causing any form of pressure, then the Illini may be on to something. But, that’s a lot to ask, and even more to make happen.
Breakdown
Maryland’s Offense is potent to say the least, and Taulia Tagovailoa is the star of this show. Tagovailoa has put up 1660 yards on the season thus far, with nearly a 63% completion rate on 210 attempts. He also hoists 14 touchdowns to only 5 INT’s on 210 attempts, which is impressive for such a high octane offense this early in the season. Taulia, much like his brother, Dolphin’s QB Tua Tagovailoa, is a duel threat killer, that will march you down the field by any means necessary.
Trying to get enough pressure on Taulia for Illinois to make a difference in this game is going to be a absolute struggle, and the key to Illinois having any success in this game. If Taulia feels the heat and starts making mistakes, the Illini have a shot, but Illinois has not proven thus far that they can make any kind of pressure happen in the pocket outside of Johnny Newton by himself.
The Terrapins receiving core is strong, and gives Tagovailoa a lot of weapons to utilize. Jeshaun Jones has 24 receptions, 2 TD’s and 378 total receiving yards on the season thus far, and is the leader of this Terrapin WR room. He is a speedy threat on the outside, and Illinois secondary has not been stable enough to handle this level of play. Tai Felton and Kaden Prather have also had a pair of really nice seasons with Felton trailing Jones shortly with 329 receiving yards on the season and 3 TD’s of his own. Prather has 4 touchdowns on 21 receptions, and at 6’4 is a major red-zone threat.
Locksley’s Offense is as good as advertised, and is going to create a long day for the Illini if serious changes have not been made to try and get more aggressive on defense.
Takeaway
Frankly I just don’t see the Illini offense having enough in the tank, or having shown enough comfortability to keep up with Locksley’s Offense. Confidence is key to a team stepping up from bad positions and getting big wins in grind time. However, Illinois has not show enough firepower on offense, or aggression on defense to see this going another way.
Luke Altmyer has a really solid opportunity to loosen up his game, and create some confidence in himself, and his team after a rough start to 2023. The young man has not had any help from his Offensive Line, who seem to continue the shuffle for the right combination to keep the ball moving forward. The hope is that this combo finally hits, and Illinois can start moving the ball with some sort of (Here it comes again) offensive identity. Until then, the Illini will continue to struggle
Illini 17- Maryland 37
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