Illinois (5-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) at Minnesota (4-6 overall, 1-5 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Minneapolis, Minn.
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
TV/Radio: ESPNews, KFAN 100.3
Series: Minnesota leads the series 35-29-3
Last Meeting: November 25, 2014; Illinois won 28-24 in Champaign, Ill.
Coach: Bill Cubit (1st season, 5-4)
National Championships: Illinois (5); Minnesota (7)
INSIDE THE GAME
Losing Streak
The Gophers are on a four-game losing streak including three in a row against top-20 teams in the country. In the games against Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa, the Maroon and Gold have been competitive, giving themselves a chance to win. The injury-plagued Gophers will try to end the skid against a beatable Illinois team.
“We’re always judged on wins and losses, and we haven’t been able to find a win,” said Tracy Claeys. “But I think any team — most of the teams in the country that would have played that three-game stretch would have some difficulties also.”
It’s clear to any Gopher fan that injuries are holding Minnesota back from the promising team we all saw at the start of the season.
“In the situations we’ve been in and you look at our injury thing, and it’s not an excuse,” said Claeys. “I’ve said all along you’ve got to find things your kids do well. Our kids that have stepped in playing for the injured kids, really have made some good plays and they’re competing hard. The disappointment comes in the end result.”
Finishing Strong
Following the brutal three-game run against top competition, the Gophers find themselves needing two wins in their last two games to extend their season and become bowl eligible. The road to the post season starts with the Illini this weekend.
“We’re still in a dog fight,” said Matt Limegrover. “This group of kids, we want to send the seniors out right. We want to go to a bowl game. We want to win a bowl game. There are still a lot of things left there to play for. If we don’t come out with a sense of urgency this Saturday, a lot of that evaporates.”
The tumultuous season isn’t over, and Minnesota knows there are still important games on the line.
“There is still a lot to play for,” said Limegrover. “There are still goals that we’ve developed and created and we’ve had to adjust. But it’s still there.”
Matchup to Watch
Illinois Red-Zone Offense vs. Minnesota Red-Zone Defense— Illinois has been dismal in the red zone this season. The Illini rank last in the Big Ten, scoring just 70.6-percent of the time inside their opponents’ 20-yard line. Luckily for Illinois, the Gophers’ defense hasn’t been stout inside the red area, either. The outcome of Saturday’s contest may be decided by which team takes advantage of opportunities inside the red zone.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Matt Daniels of the News-Gazette has the latest on Illinois’ leading rusher, Ke’Shawn Vaughn. The true freshman has put up 661 yards on the ground this year but will likely be sidelined due to a concussion.
Daniels also has a great article detailing Illinois’ and Minnesota’s similarities. Both programs are without their head coach that started the season, and are in between athletic directors.
Michal Dwojak of the Daily Illini takes a look at Illinois’’ drive to pick up their sixth win of the season and become bowl eligible.
In what’s become an all-too-familiar storyline, Joe Christensen documents Minnesota’s rash of injuries, this time on the struggling defense.
WHO WINS?
The Gophers Win If…
They can establish a strong running attack like they did at Iowa. Against the Hawkeyes, the Gophers averaged 4.6 yards per carry, opening things up enough for Mitch Leidner to pass for over 300 yards. If Minnesota wants to pick up their fifth win of the season, they’ll need their banged up offensive line and young running backs to establish a consistent threat on the ground.
“Well, we were able to run the ball a little bit better,” said Claeys of Minnesota’s offensive success in Iowa City. “Obviously it’s not the same front seven. I think Ohio State, a lot of people have trouble blocking their front seven. So we were able to run the ball a little better, keep them honest. Besides that, there are really not a lot of changes. Just running the ball, and that obviously opens up some of the throws.”
The Illini Win If…
They can bring the Gophers’ offense down to earth. In their last three games – against Michigan, Ohio State, and Iowa – Minnesota has put up an average of 403 per contest. While these are three of the top defenses in the conference, the Gophers know the Illini are capable of slowing down them down on Saturday.
“Illinois’s defense is on par with those guys (Mich. OSU, Iowa), and I’m serious about that,” said Limegrover. “Their D-line is like a total transformation from last year as far as those kids up front. I think they’ve got an outstanding — one of their corners is outstanding. Their linebackers I think have increased their physical ability and their speed, so they’re going to be able to go sideline to sideline better.”