Our Clients:

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

Nov 23, 2022 11:50 am

Illinois visits Northwestern with slim division title hopes

Despite losing its last three games, Illinois still has a shot to represent the West Division in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 3 — but three rivalry games must go their way this weekend.

Not only do the Illini need Iowa to lose to Nebraska and Purdue to lose to Indiana, they need to hold on to the Land of Lincoln Trophy in Saturday’s regular-season finale at Northwestern.

On paper, Illinois (7-4, 4-4) should be a significant favorite after coming within nine seconds of knocking off undefeated Michigan last week in the Big House. There’s also the fact that Northwestern (1-10, 1-7) has dropped 10 games in a row — the school’s longest losing streak since a 14-game run from 1988-90.

“Northwestern is a 1-10 football team that has played really good,” Illinois coach Bret Bielema said. “I think if you ask Ohio State and Purdue — two of their last three opponents — how good they are, I think they’d have an answer for you that they come to play every day, they’re extremely tough, they’re physical, they’re well-coached.”

Bielema’s mother, Marilyn, passed away Thursday, so his week began with her visitation Sunday and burial Monday in his hometown of Prophetstown, Ill.

“Sunday was a really tough day,” Bielema said. “I got home in the afternoon (and that was) the first time I’ve been around my family, so that was really, really, really tough. The visitation Sunday night had hundreds of people come through our little community.”

Not only will Illinois be gunning to keep the Land of Lincoln Trophy, but Chase Brown will be shooting to claim the national rushing title. Brown leads the nation with 1,582 rushing yards — 58 more than Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim — and was named Tuesday as one of 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award.

Northwestern, too, will be focused on the ground game. Sophomore walk-on Cole Freeman — the team’s fourth-stringer at the start of the year — figures to make his second straight start at quarterback, but the Wildcats’ only touchdown drive last week at Purdue came when running backs Evan Hull and Cam Porter took turns running out of the Wildcat formation.

Freeman completed 9 of 20 passes for 78 yards and one interception. He also fumbled twice while being sacked.

“He learned a ton of valuable quarterback college lessons on Saturday,” said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald. “He did a lot of things really, really well and some things that he’s going to learn and grow from. I was really proud of him. I think he stepped up for everybody. I’m sure he’s going to step up again this week with his preparation and get ready to go play one week better against the Illini.”

–Field Level Media

You may also like

Jadeveon Clowney
Mar 27, 2024 4:14 pm

Panthers sign Pro Bowl OLB Jadeveon Clowney

The Carolina Panthers flew under the radar and signed free agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on Wednesday. The team did not disclose terms but ESPN and NFL Network reported it’s…

Neville Hewitt
Mar 27, 2024 2:12 pm

Report: Texans to sign LB Neville Hewitt

Free-agent linebacker Neville Hewitt is signing a one-year contract to rejoin the Houston Texans, ESPN reported on Wednesday. Financial terms were not disclosed for Hewitt, who led the NFL in…

Josh Reynolds
Mar 27, 2024 1:57 pm

Reports: WR Josh Reynolds gets 2-year deal with Broncos

Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds is signing a two-year contract worth up to $14 million with the Denver Broncos, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday. Reynolds joins a…

More Football News

Jadeveon Clowney
Mar 27, 2024 4:14 pm

Panthers sign Pro Bowl OLB Jadeveon Clowney

The Carolina Panthers flew under the radar and signed free agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on Wednesday. The team did not disclose terms but ESPN and NFL Network reported it’s…

Neville Hewitt
Mar 27, 2024 2:12 pm

Report: Texans to sign LB Neville Hewitt

Josh Reynolds
Mar 27, 2024 1:57 pm

Reports: WR Josh Reynolds gets 2-year deal with Broncos

jayden daniels
Mar 27, 2024 11:20 am

Report: Jayden Daniels will only throw at LSU’s pro day

charlie baker NCAA
Mar 27, 2024 10:46 am

NCAA ‘drawing line’ on gambling, wants player prop bets banned

Read all
fb-post
advertisment
title-icon

Upcoming events

See all odds