5 Bold Predictions For Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech In Heart of Dallas Bowl

By Matt Johnson

5 Bold Predictions For Illinois vs. Louisiana Tech In Heart of Dallas Bowl

Heart of Dallas Bowl — Passing yards will be in abundance when the Illinois Fighting Illini and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs take the field for the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Dec. 26. With both teams possessing quarterbacks and receiving corps capable of making big plays, there won’t be any lack of offense between the two sides as 2014 comes to a close. Here are five bold predictions for the Illini and Bulldogs’ upcoming matchup.

5. Cody Sokol Will Finish With Over 300 Passing Yards

Cody Sokol

5. Cody Sokol Will Finish With Over 300 Passing Yards

Cody Sokol — The Phoenix native put together a big season for Louisiana Tech in 2014, racking up more than 3,000 yards passing with 29 touchdowns. Expect more eye-popping numbers for the senior quarterback against an Illini defense that gives up 464.3 yards per game on average.

4. Mike Dudek Will Exceed 100 Yards Receiving

Mike Dudek

4. Mike Dudek Will Exceed 100 Yards Receiving

Mike Dudek — Dudek had a standout regular season for Illinois with 69 catches for 965 yards and six scores. Expect quarterback Reilly O’Toole to continue looking for the freshman wide receiver against a Louisiana Tech defense that gives up 237.8 yards on average through the air.

3. Louisiana Tech Will Record At Least 3 Sacks

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

3. Louisiana Tech Will Record At Least 3 Sacks

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs — The Bulldogs averaged just under three sacks per contest on defense during the regular season. Illinois, meanwhile, gave up 31 sacks on offense and struggled keeping pressure away from their quarterbacks at times in 2014. The stage is therefore set for Houston Bates and company to put consistent heat on the Illini’s signal-callers on Dec. 26.

2. Mason Monheim and Zane Petty Will Both Have Double-Digit Tackles

Mason Monheim

2. Mason Monheim and Zane Petty Will Both Have Double-Digit Tackles

Mason Monheim — Monheim and Petty finished with 108 and 104 tackles respectively for the Illini on defense during 2014. The pair figure to get plenty of opportunities for more stops against a Louisiana Tech offense that piles up more than 400 yards per outing.

1. Kenneth Dixon Will Have a Huge Day On the Ground

Kenneth Dixon

1. Kenneth Dixon Will Have a Huge Day On the Ground

Kenneth Dixon — Illinois’ defense gave up nearly 250 rushing yards to opponents in 2014. Dixon, meanwhile, rushed for 1,236 yards with 21 touchdowns and figures to have a huge day against an Illini defense that struggled to hold opposing running backs in check most of the year.

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Illinois Fighting Illini

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