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Minnesota Football: RoWINg to Illinois - Opponent Preview

The last time Bret Bielema was on the visitors’ sideline at Huntington Bank Stadium, he was the head coach of the No. 16-ranked Wisconsin, Russell Wilson was under center for the Badgers, and Paul Bunyan’s Axe was headed back to Madison after a 42-13 blowout.

Ten years later, Bielema returns to the Twin Cities as the leader of the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Can Illinois score on offense?

The Illini want to run the football. Expect the bulk of the carries to go to former Western Michigan running back Chase Brown, who has exploded for 200+ rushing yards twice this season, once against Charlotte (257 rushing yards) and then against Penn State (223 rushing yards).