COMMENTARY: Without Peters at QB, Illini offense is predictable

Matt Stevens column: Without Brandon Peters at QB, Illini offense is simply one dimensional and predictable

In the second quarter of its first Big Ten road test, Illinois’ offense suddenly became arguably the worst thing possible: predictable

As starting quarterback Brandon Peters was being led into the TCF Bank Stadium tunnel by the Illinois training staff, the Illini offense found itself one dimensional once again. Matt Robinson, a redshirt freshman with little experience to his college career before Saturday, was ineffective in a backup role during Illinois’ 40-17 loss at Minnesota.

At the point Minnesota (5-0, 2-0 in Big Ten) made it 30-10 following the first two possessions of the second half, Illinois (2-3, 0-2) found itself in a situation needing big chunk plays to salvage a comeback.

And you’d think the Minnesota defense would play more conservatively in the idea of making sure they never allowed receivers to get behind its secondary personnel.

Nope. Not conservative at all.

Minnesota continued to load the box at the line-of-scrimmage and play press-man coverage knowing two things were destined to happen. One, Robinson’s skill set wasn’t going to be able to ever threaten to take the top off its defense. Two, Illinois receivers weren’t going to be able to provide its inexperienced quarterback with proper separation.

From that moment on, Minnesota had effectively removed the Illini’s most complete offensive player, tailback Reggie Corbin, from the festivities as he finished with just 68 yards on 14 carries. Illinois was essentially playing offense in the second half with its primary arm and primary foot tied up. And they predictably fell flat on its face.

“Offensively we need to be able to be who we are and that’s a running football team,” Smith said. “When we get a chance to hit passes, we need to be able to do that. That’s what they did against us today.”

At one point during the second half, Big Ten Network color analyst Matt Millen said Robinson’s passes “should be sponsored by Aflac”. While he showcased the potential for the running game to involve the quarterback with him behind center, he couldn’t complete a pass longer than 16 yards. That’s simply not going to cut it, especially with the quality defenses of Michigan and Wisconsin immediately up on the schedule.

“Brandon (Peters) is not running the football,” Smith said. “So running game, he doesn’t affect it that much. Passing game? Yeah. There’s a reason why he’s our starting quarterback.”

Without Brandon Peters, and it should be noted his status is unknown for future contests beyond Smith saying “didn’t finish the game” and “you saw the hit”, Saturday’s game made it perfectly clear that the only way Illinois is going to have to win is to play with a lead, run the ball and control the tempo of the game. Is there any logical belief the Illini will likely be able to do that against Wisconsin and Michigan? No, it’s not. Without a legitimate passing game, Illinois is left without a chance.

And as Smith likes to say often - it’s as simple as that.