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Northwestern vs. Illinois preview: Three matchups to watch

Gameday is just a few days away. So with Saturday looming, it's time to start digging a little deeper into the intricacies of the contest. Football, at its core, is a game of individual matchups that all work together to form one play. All individual showdowns are crucial. But there are still some that are more important and influential than others. Let's look at the three matchups that may decide who gets the HAT.

1. Northwestern's red zone offense vs. Illinois' red zone defense

Northwestern's biggest struggles this season have been on the offensive side of the ball.