Illinois hosts Central Michigan looking for first 3-0 start since 2011
Illinois is off to a 2-0 start this season going into Saturday's home game against Central Michigan. The Illini have not won three in a row to open a season since 2011. They are favored against the Chippewas, who are 1-1 and coming off a 52-16 loss at Florida International in a game that saw Central Michigan turn the ball over six times.
Central Michigan (1-1) at Illinois (2-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. (Peacock)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Illinois by 18½.
Series record: First meeting.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Illinois: Off to the best start in Bret Bielema's four years as coach and coming off a 23-17 victory over then-No. 19 Kansas in front of a rare sellout crowd at Memorial Stadium last week, the Illini will try to avoid a letdown against a Central Michigan team that lost 52-16 last week at Florida International and was plagued by turnovers (6) and penalties (10 for 70 yards).
Central Michigan: The Chippewas opened the season with a 66-10 home win over Central Connecticut State. They're No. 2 in the Mid-American Conference in total scoring (82 points) and one of only three FBS teams that has returned a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown. A win or at least a competitive effort vs. Illinois would get Central Michigan's season back on track.
KEY MATCHUP
Illinois passing attack vs. the Central Michigan pass defense. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer burned Kansas last week with long completions, going 16 of 25 for 192 yards. Zakhari Franklin caught 9 passes for 99 yards while Pat Bryant had three catches for 70 yards, including 38- and 27-yarders on Illinois' game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. The Chippewas lead the MAC in fewest passing yards allowed per game (107.5).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Illinois: DB Xavier Scott. He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and earned national defensive player of the week honors after he had 2 interceptions, one for a touchdown, a forced fumble, a sack and 8 tackles against Kansas. He's the only player in the nation to force 3 turnovers in a game this season.
Central Michigan: QB Joe Labas. In his Central Michigan debut and first game action since he started the 2022 Music City Bowl, the Iowa transfer completed 18 of 24 passes for 342 yards and 3 TDs in the opener. But he threw 5 interceptions in the loss to Florida International.
FACTS & FIGURES
Illinois is tied for the national lead in turnovers (8) and is second in interceptions (5) and fumble recoveries (3). That's not good news for Central Michigan, which had 6 turnovers in its loss to FIU, including the five interceptions by Labas. ... Illinois barely missed making this week's AP Top 25. The Illini led the list of 18 teams also receiving votes. ... Illinois hasn't started 2-0 since 2019. The last time it opened the season with three straight victories was 2011. ... Sixth-year Central Michigan coach Jim McElwain has taken the Chippewas to two bowl games (2019 New Mexico Bowl and 2021 Sun Bowl) and one MAC championship game (2018). The only win in those games was a 24-21 victory over Washington State in the Sun Bowl. He's 30-29 as Central Michigan's coach.