Illinois vs. SIU gameday: What to know, injury report, and prediction

Illinois hosts SIU on Saturday afternoon at Gies Memorial Stadium. Here’s everything you need for gameday, including game information, the latest availability report, what to watch and our final prediction. Talk about the game with other Illinois fans before kickoff and throughout the game. Join the conversation: Illinois vs. SIU game thread – Grange Grove message board LINKS: Illinois vs. SIU preview | Live stats | Depth chart Game information Matchup: Illinois vs. SIUWhen: Saturday, Sept. 19, 1 p.m. CTWhere: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Ill. TV: PeacockRadio: Busey Bank Illini Sports Network | Listen | SiriusXM (113/232) | SXM AppSeries: Illinois leads the all-time series 4-0. Last meeting was in 2013. Records: Illinois 1-1 | SIU 2-1Rankings: Illinois UR | SIU URBetting line (Polymarket): Illinois -39.5 (99%) | O/U 55.5 Injury update Illinois’ offensive line took another hit last Saturday when right guard TJ McMillen left the Duke game in the fourth quarter and did not return. Bielema announced Monday that McMillen suffered a broken bone in his foot and will miss the rest of the season. McMillen had stepped into the lineup after starter Brandon Henderson was injured in the opener against UAB. Henderson could miss up to six weeks. According to Bielema, the battle to start at right guard this week in practice was between freshman Champ Smith, Eddie Tuerk, and Dez Schuster. The uncertainty extends to the other guard spot. Brandon Hansen started at left guard against Duke in place of Maika Matelau, who remains out of the lineup. Hansen is expected to get the start again this week. Linebacker Daniel Brown practiced this week, but is not expected to play many snaps against the Salukis. He should return next week against Ohio State. WR Jayshon Platt remains out with an undisclosed injury. Three things I’m watching 1. Illinois should dominate in the trenches Illinois should have a significant advantage on both lines, and this is a game in which that needs to show up from the opening series. The offensive line remains in flux after injuries to Henderson and McMillen, while the running game has produced just three carries of 10 yards or more through two games. Illinois needs to move SIU off the ball, give Ca’Lil Valentine room to run and find an offensive line combination it can take into Big Ten play. The same applies on defense. Illinois generated only two pressures against Duke and allowed Nate Sheppard to rush for 147 yards. The Illini front should control this matchup, disrupt the pocket and keep SIU from getting comfortable on the ground. 2. How does Illinois defend SIU quarterback DJ Williams? SIU quarterback DJ Williams is the player most capable of making Illinois uncomfortable. He threw for 286 yards against Southeast Missouri State and ran seven times for 67 yards and four touchdowns. He can hurt a defense when the pocket breaks down, which puts more pressure on Illinois to maintain its rush lanes and tackle in space. Illinois has missed 37 tackles through two games. Williams will provide a good test of whether the defense has made any real progress in that area. SIU does not have the talent Illinois will see in the Big Ten, but the same problems will follow the Illini into October if they cannot contain a mobile quarterback Saturday. 3. Build a big lead and get the young players on the field Illinois should not need four quarters to put this game away. A fast start would allow Bielema to rest his starters and give the younger players more than a handful of snaps at the end of a blowout. Defensive linemen Parker Crim, King Liggins and Tony Balanganayi are among the freshmen who could benefit from an extended look. The same goes for linebacker Cam Thomas, quarterback Carson Boyd, running back Jarvari Burnett and sophomore defensive back Andre Lovett Jr. Illinois will need some of them before the season ends. Final thoughts llinois needs to make a statement Saturday—not for the polls, but for itself. The Illini need to show they have put the Duke loss behind them by playing with purpose from the opening kick and treating SIU like an opponent they intend to dominate. Anything less would leave questions about how well this team responded to its first setback.