Illinois possesses the ball for 25 minutes per game (second-worst in the country), averages 19.5 points (seventh-worst), converts 28.6 percent of third downs (second-worst) and has recorded the fewest number of first downs in the country. Even Rutgers’ numbers are better. Illinois is bad. If Northwestern loses, it’ll be an embarrassment. Coming off a putrid offensive performance at Minnesota, I expect a big-time rebound from Clayton Thorson & Co. on the offensive end, and for for a sputtering Illinois offense to do next-to-nothing against Northwestern’s defense—save a few garbage-time scores. Northwestern wins and locks up a bowl berth.
Northwestern vs. Illinois predictions
