Texas Tech football: 5 other intriguing Big 12 games this week
Illinois @ Kansas: Texas Tech fans should tune in to see if KU is a threat this year
Normally, when Kansas and Illinois meet, it is only intriguing if the contest is played on the hardwood. But this year, the two basketball-first schools will play a Friday night football game that might tell us if the Jayhawks are again a dangerous team in the Big 12.
After a nice 8-5 season in 2022, the Illini are looking to continue to creep back toward Big 10 respectability. However, beating Toldeo just 30-28 was not a way to make a statement in week one.
Kansas also continues to try to put years of futility in the rearview. Going 6-7 last year but reaching a bowl game, the Jayhawks believe they are headed in the right direction.
This week, their star QB Jalon Daniels is expected to make his season debut after sitting out last week’s win over Missouri State with back tightness. That could give the Jayhawks and their home faithful a huge boost.
Daniels battled injuries for much of 2022 as well and his slight frame is not necessarily built to take a beating, something he does given his proclivity for running the ball. If he can stay on the field this year, the KU offense could be one of the best in the conference, though.
The ESPN matchup predictor favors Illinois in this game giving the visitors a 58.5% shot at coming out on top. However, KU will have a big home crowd for this one and Daniels’ return might be just the variable that puts the Jayhawks over the top in this one.