Michigan State Football: Ranking 2019 opponents by toughness

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs into the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, IL – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini watches as his team takes on the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on November 24, 2018 in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern defeated Illinois 24-16. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Michigan State hasn’t seen Illinois since 2016 and the Fighting Illini got the better of the Spartans which left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths. Damion Terry threw what looked to be the game-winning touchdown pass to RJ Shelton with just under three minutes left, but Illinois marched down the field and scored the actual game-winner a minute later.

This isn’t nearly the same Illinois team but the Illini are getting slightly better.

The Spartans will actually see a familiar face at quarterback for the Illini in Michigan-transfer Brandon Peters who could never seem to stick as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback despite being dubbed, by some, the next big star.

Reggie Corbin will be a name to watch in the backfield as he rushed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns on a sparkling 8.5 yards per carry as a junior. Michigan State’s run defense will be tested in this one.

Illinois does, however, have a horrid defense which ranked near the bottom of college football in almost every major category a year ago — and the Illini return nine starters to the mediocre unit.

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