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Wisconsin Football: Ranking their opponents for the 2018 season Part 1

By Brian Sampson

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: The Wisconsin Badgers mascot performs against the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: The Wisconsin Badgers mascot performs against the Florida Gators during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 11: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Illinois Fighting Illini is seen during the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

11. Illinois Fighting Illini

It’s downright embarrassing to see a Big Ten team ranked at No. 11 on this list, but this is where Illinois deserves to be. Lovie Smith is returning for his third season and is 5-19 in his previous two. The rebuild will continue and that record probably won’t turn around any time soon.

The Fighting Illini were 2-10 last season and will face Wisconsin on Oct. 20 at Camp Randall. It should be another easy victory for the Badgers.

Illinois will trot out quarterback Cam Thomas who’s equally if not more dangerous with his legs than with his arm. This team is extremely heavy on sophomores which won’t bode well this season. The defense is average at best and won’t make very many spectacular plays. Wisconsin should be able to do what they want with this team.

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