Illini Now Pregame Preview: Mississippi State

Illinois Fighting Illini are in Florida for the college football postseason. They are playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on January 2nd. The game starts at 11 am on ESPN 2. Illinois is a one-point underdog against SEC opponent Mississippi State.

Illinois and Mississippi State are playing a game on Monday. The game is a revenge game for the late Mike Leach, who passed away on December 13th. Mississippi St. is led by new head coach Zach Arnett. They are currently the 40th overall defense in the FBS. Their offense is run by junior quarterback Will Rogers. Illinois lost All-American DB Devon Witherspoon and First Team All Big Ten Safety Sydney Brown. They will play without Chayse Browns. He decided not to play in ReliaQuest Bowl. Illini will rely more on the passing game with Tommy Devito.

Mississippi State is 4-0.

Losses: LSU 31-16, Kentucky 27-17, Alabama 30-6, Georgia 45-19. Best win: Egg Bowl vs Ole Miss. Quarterback Will Rodgers rallied the Bulldogs from down 16-7 to give them a 24- 16 lead. Ole Mississippi tried to score a 2-point conversion but the defense held.

Illinois defense will be without Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown. Taz Nicholson and Matthew Bailey will have to step up to the plate.

Josh McCray is back from injury and ready to play for the Illini. Chayse Brown is injured.

Ryan Walters, Corey Patterson and Kevin Kane have left the program. They were replaced by Henry. A new safeties coach will be brought in within the next 24 hours. The team is preparing for the game against Mississippi State.

Illinois is without their star Running Back Chayse Brown and star secondary players Sydney Brown, Devon Witherspoon and Johnny Newton. Zach Arnett is a first time Head Coach at Mississippi State. Illinois has enough fire power with Keith Randolph and John Newton to get after Will Rogers.