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Previously: Illinois Offense 2022 For much of this year the Illinois defense has reigned supreme in the conference and nation as one of the NCAA's top defenses. Through eight weeks, they'd allowed 6, 23, 3, 0, 10, 6, 14, and 9 points and national outlets began to focus in on the Fighting Illini's defensive prowess, a season after having lost a number of last year's defensive stars to graduation. It was an impressive story, but the last couple weeks have put a bit of a dent in the narrative. Though they held MSU under 300 yards, 23 points against in a loss was not quite as smothering and then last weekend's clash against Purdue was a rough performance comparatively: 379 yards and 31 points allowed, not to mention that several key defensive players sustained injuries in a penalty-filled loss. Now the shorthanded Illinois defense will be playing with a hand (or perhaps a few fingers) tied behind their back as they play the best offense they've seen this sea