Minnesota (5-2 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) at Illinois (2-5 overall, 1-3 Big Ten)
When: Saturday, 11:00 a.m. CT – Champaign, Ill.
Stadium: Memorial Stadium (60,670)
TV/Radio: BTN, KFAN 100.3 FM
Coach: Lovie Smith (1st season)
Spread: Minnesota -9
INSIDE THE GAME
Illini at a Glance
Illinois has won only three of the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
The Fighting Illini rank eighth in the country with 8.3 tackles per game.
Malik Turner is the go-to wide receiver for Illinois. The junior has accounted for 43% of the Illini’s total receiving yards–the highest percentage of any FBS player. Against the Gophers last year, Turner caught a career-high 11 passes, for 126 yards and one touchdown.
Keep an eye on linebacker Hardy Nickerson. The senior has been a dynamic playmaker for the Illini defense. The 6-foot, 230-pounder has notched a team-leading 72 tackles with 4½ for loss, two sacks, and two interceptions.
Illinois is tied with Minnesota for second in the conference with a plus-seven turnover margin.
Coach Speak
“Defensively, they are going to put a lot of guys in the box, and they’re going to make you throw the ball, but at the same time we can’t get one-handed, and that’s all we do. We’re going to have to execute in the throwing game and still be able to run the football.
“Offensively, they spread the field and they got two backs that are really good, a big physical receiver that played well. They played three different quarterbacks now because of injuries, so finding time in practice, they all do something a little bit different, so, it’s finding enough time in practice to make sure we’re prepared for all of them.” – Tracy Claeys on what he see about on Illinois on film
“They play good football. Defensively, they play hard. What they do, they do well. Offensively, probably a combination of some of the offenses we’ve played before, maybe Western Michigan a little bit. They can run a traditional offensive tackle.” – Lovie Smith on Minnesota
Storyline Central
With two banged up quarterbacks on the roster, it’s still a mystery who’ll start for the Illini. The likely option might be a familiar name for Minnesotans; former Vikings QB Jeff George’s son, Jeff George Jr. Matt Daniels of The News-Gazette takes a look at who could be under center on Sunday.
The Illini have a new coaching staff where underclassmen have been given an opportunity to shine. In a rebuilding team, some Illinois freshmen are out to prove they belong in the Big Ten. Mark Tupper of the Pantagraph has a nice profile of one outstanding freshman, safety Stanley Green.
Cole Henke of the Daily Illini takes a student’s look at the matchup. Going off last year’s loss to the Gophers, Illinois is looking for revenge.
The Gophers Win If…
If they can keep it rolling on the ground. Even after putting up just over 100 yards against Iowa, the Gophers are still averaging 200 yards on the ground per conference game. On the other side, the Illini are near the bottom of the Big Ten, giving up 197 rushing yards per contest this season. If Minnesota can keep the two-headed monster of Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks going, they could gash a suspect Illinois rush D.
“They’re good,” said Tracy Claeys of his duo. “And you should get better each year, so, you know, they’ve been able to stay healthy, and they’re good backs that run tough, you know?”
The Illini Win If…
Their defense can get off the field on third down. Though it doesn’t always seem like it, the Gophers have been solid converting third down chances at 47.7% clip. On the other hand, the Illini defense has been brutal, allowing opponents to convert almost half their third-down opportunities. Playing at home on homecoming, Illinois needs to keep their crowd into the game, and the Gopher offense off the field.