Wildcats set sights on strong finish
Keys for Illinois
Find a QB that works: Illinois has been inconsistent on offense all season, in part because the Illini have gone through four different quarterbacks – Brandon Peters, Coran Taylor, Matt Robinson and freshman Isaiah Williams – because of the coronavirus and injuries. Peters, the transfer from Michigan, has started Illinois’ past two games after missing two games because of COVID.
Peters engineered a win over Nebraska on Nov. 21, then went 8 for 8 with two touchdowns to help Illinois to a 14-0 lead against Iowa last week. But Peters soon cooled off and completed only two of his final 10 passes, prompting a QB switch to Williams, who did well in relief. Peters seems a good bet to start this week, but coach Lovie Smith may switch if he doesn’t like what he sees.
Put two halves together: Playing four-quarter games has been a problem for the Illini all season, who were blown out of early-season matchups against Wisconsin and Minnesota. Illinois has turned in only one complete performance, a 41-23 victory over Nebraska in which Illinois scored in every quarter for the only time all season.
Keys for Northwestern
Come out crisp: Not having to travel to Minnesota last week to play the Gophers might turn out to be a blessing for Northwestern. For one thing, the Wildcats got a physical break after six hard-fought games (they really don’t play any other kind) over the previous six weeks. For another, Northwestern clinched the West Division and a spot in the championship game when Wisconsin lost against Indiana.
Keep the hammer down: Northwestern’s transformation from one conference win in 2019 to the title game in 2020 can mostly be attributed to its defense. The Wildcats’ linebacking corps of Blake Gallagher, Paddy Fisher and Chris Bergin is the best in the Big Ten, and the team’s defensive ranking in the Big Ten (second) and nationally (15th) backs up the praise it has received.
Northwestern ranks second in the conference with 12 interceptions and 20 total turnovers gained. Redshirt freshman defensive back Brandon Joseph is tied for the Big Ten lead with five picks.
Prediction
Northwestern 27, Illinois 13. Under coach Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern cares nothing about style points, as long as his team gets a win. But coming off an upset loss to Michigan State in their last game, the Wildcats want to avoid heading to Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game on a two-game losing streak. Illinois has some talent, but Northwestern has won five straight in the series.