Behind Enemy Lines: Illinois edition

John Gugs
5 hours ago
4 min read

Coming off a 35-20 defeat to the hands of Rutgers, the Terps will be looking to end their five game losing streak when they travel to Illinois to take on the Illini. This week, I talked with Doug Bucshon of Orange and Blue news to take a look into this year's Illini team and see what to expect come Saturday afternoon.

IBG: The Illini have not matched preseason expectations but already notched bowl eligibility by November 1st. What has gone right for the Illini and what has been the area of disappointment in 2025?

Doug Bucshon: Illinois’ 6-3 record isn’t a surprise. They’ve landed right where many expected them to be, including us at Orange and Blue News. The frustration comes from how inconsistent they’ve been defensively.

The beating Illinois took at Indiana stunned fans, and the loss at Washington — when the defense played on its heels — could have been a breaking point. Instead, the Illini responded with one of their best performances of the season against Rutgers.

Offensively, coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. continues to push for more complete games, but this group has been entertaining to watch. Quarterback Luke Altmyer ranks third in the Big Ten in passing efficiency and has been outstanding overall. The next challenge is jump-starting a running game that’s sputtered at times.

Defensively, the Illini have flashed potential but remain vulnerable, especially on third down. Fans have directed plenty of criticism toward coordinator Aaron Henry, yet the defense showed real progress with its aggressive play against Rutgers. If that approach continues, Illinois could be trending upward as the season winds down.

JG: QB Luke Altmyer is back to anchor the offense and WR Hank Beatty has proved himself among the Big Ten's best. What has he shown in 2025 to become the dynamic playmaker?

DB: Altmyer has always possessed arm talent, but this year he’s taken a major step forward in maturity and decision-making. His chemistry with Beatty has become one of Illinois’ biggest stories of the season.

Beatty paid his dues as a third or fourth option behind former top targets like NFL Draft pick Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin. That duo dominated the targets last year, but with both gone, Beatty seized his opportunity.

He has a knack for finding soft spots in coverage and is dangerous after the catch. While not a burner or deep threat, he thrives on crossing routes, using sharp cuts and quick separation to create space. Most importantly, he catches everything thrown his way.

JG: Maryland has done well in pass pro in 2025 but OLB Gabe Jacas will be a challenge for the front five. What has clicked for him on the defense?

DB: Illinois’ secondary has had its share of problems, making pressure on Malik Washington a top priority for the Illini. The pass rush runs through preseason All-American Gabe Jacas.

His production has dipped this season, though, and coordinator Henry hasn’t always put him in the best positions to succeed. Offenses have doubled Jacas all year, and Illinois has struggled to counter those adjustments.

Jacas thrives on power. His bull rush can overwhelm offensive linemen, and Maryland will have to keep close tabs on him Saturday. The Terps don’t allow many sacks, though, so Jacas has his work cut out for him.

JG: Who on both sides of the ball will be the X Factor for Illinois this weekend?

DB: On offense, any of the three running backs — Aidan Laughery, Kaden Feagin, or Ca’lill Valentine — could emerge as the difference-maker. The matchup favors Illinois’ ground game, but Feagin stands out as the potential X-factor. He’s been inconsistent, especially on inside gap runs where his burst can lag, yet he brings big-play potential when Illinois gets him in space.

Defensively, strong safety Matthew Bailey has played some of his best football in recent weeks. He might be Illinois’ most reliable open-field tackler and leads the team with 50 total stops this season. Bailey could draw the assignment of spying Malik Washington to keep the Maryland quarterback’s scrambling in check.

JG: What are two keys for an Illinois win this weekend?

DB: First, Illinois must make life as difficult as possible for Malik Washington. The Terps’ offense runs through the freshman quarterback, a true dual-threat who can take over a game if he isn’t contained. Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. shredded Illinois in the loss to the Huskies, so the Illini need to bring pressure and try to rattle Washington early.

The other key is ball security. Altmyer rarely forces throws and has just two interceptions, but Maryland’s defense thrives on takeaways, leading the league with 17 interceptions. Winning the turnover battle is the best path to an upset on the road. Maryland’s +0.89 turnover margin ranks second in the Big Ten.

JG: What is your score prediction and why?

DB: I like Illinois to take care of business at home. They built back lost confidence in the win over Rutgers and had a bye week to get fully healthy and game plan for the Terps. Maryland inability to stop the run sets up well for an Illini club that wants to get the ground game going. The transitive properly obviously doesn’t always apply, but Illinois handled Rutgers while the Terps fell to them last week.

Illinois 31, Maryland 24

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