Three matchups to watch against Illinois

David Banks-USA TODAY SportsThis Thanksgiving, Northwestern can be thankful that this Saturday’s game will not be the last of the year — the ‘Cats will be playing in a bowl game. For now, they take on Illinois for rivalry week, holding a chance to end their bowl aspirations with a big win. Here are three matchups to track as you watch Northwestern’s last regular season game of the 2023 season.

Northwestern’s offense vs the “law firm”

Illini interior defensive linemen Johnny Newton and Keith Randolph — dubbed the “law firm” by Illinois head coach Bret Bielema last season — will play one last game together against Northwestern on Saturday. Both members of the powerful defensive duo will declare…