Illinois vs. Missouri preview

Fighting Illini look to get revenge after Mizzou's win in 2007

Last season the Missouri Tigers were heavily favored in the Braggin’ Rights game, but a lot has changed since then for the Illini. The 20 th ranked Illini are coming off of a berth in the Rose Bowl and have shown the country that they can recruit athletes again and are continuing to clean up in the D.C. area. The Tigers on the other hand will be coming into this season with a little chip on their shoulder after not being selected into a BCS game last year after posting a 10-2 record with just a pair of losses coming to the Oklahoma Sooners. However, the Tigers were able to put a 38-7 thumping on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Cotton Bowl.

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The Missouri Tigers come into the 2008 campaign equipped on the offensive side of the football lead by quarterback, and heisman candidate, Chase Daniel and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin who had 80 receptions for over a thousand yards and 9 TD’s last season. This is a team that put up 40 points against the Illini last season in the Edward Jones Dome escaping with a 40-34 win but both defenses have improved steadily since that time. Illinois on the other hand returns their starting quarterback and number one option at wide out in Juice Williams and Arrelious Benn, but lose their starting tailback Rashard Mendenhall to the NFL. Ultimately, for the Illini to win this game they would have to keep Daniel and Maclin off the field by instilling a heavy dose of the running game. It is going to be interesting to see if Daniel Dufrene and freshman Mikel LeShoure can move the chains for the Illini. I also sense that Chase Daniel might be able to pick on the Illini’s inexperienced secondary a bit for a few big plays.

#6 Missouri 28 - #20 Illinois 17

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by Zack Estes
BigTen-fans.com Illinois Correspondent

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