THE OPPONENT
It has an elite receiver and a talented quarterback, yet Illinois has failed to score more than 17 points in any of its past five games, all losses.
GOPHERS OFFENSE VS. ILLINOIS DEFENSE
Illinois is merciless up front, and yes, that's a pun. Junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus, who leads the nation with 13 1/2 sacks and has forced eight fumbles, is within reach of Simeon Rice's school record of 16 sacks in a season. At the other end of the line, junior Michael Buchanan has six sacks and linebacker Jonathan Brown has 5 1/2. MarQueis Gray might be better off running with the ball. Advantage: Illinois
GOPHERS DEFENSE VS. ILLINOIS OFFENSE
Of the 20 quarters Illinois has played during its five-game losing streak, it has scored in only six. The Illini also lead the Big Ten in turnovers. The Gophers defense has cut back the number of big plays allowed and held Northwestern scoreless on five consecutive possessions last week. Advantage: Gophers
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jerry Kill blamed the Gophers' kicking game for last week's loss at Northwestern, but Illinois' special teams have been a catastrophe all season. The Illini rank last or next-to-last in punting, punt returns, kickoff returns and kick coverage. Advantage: Gophers
INTANGIBLES
Without a rivalry game to close the regular season for the first time since 1932, the atmosphere could be unusually quiet at what could be a half-full TCF Bank Stadium. The Illini are playing for their coach's job, though Ron Zook is rumored to be gone no matter what. Advantage: Even
PREDICTION
Illinois hasn't won a game since Oct. 8, and its defense is showing cracks. MarQueis Gray and Duane Bennett should be able to find running room, and if the defense can create a few breaks, the Gophers should keep a low-scoring game close.
Gophers24
Illini23
NUMBERS TO KNOW
26
Turnovers by Illinois; only five teams in the nation have lost more.
0
First-quarter points scored by Illinois in its past five games; the Gophers have allowed 52 in that span.
DON'T FORGET ABOUT
Kim RoystonIt's the final collegiate game for the Big Ten's top-tackling DB.