This is a big game for Illinois considering they could reach the 7-win mark in the regular season for the first time since we went to the Rose Bowl under Ron Zook back in 2007. We have had a couple of 6-win regular seasons since then, but none have hit the 7-win mark. This would be a great accomplishment for this program.
Another reason this is a big game for the Illini is that it would provide momentum and positive vibes for the team heading into the bowl game this December. Illinois dropped their last game to Iowa, which wasn’t surprising, but losing two in a row would be a bad run.