The Call: Gophers vs. Illinois

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

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

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.

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