Illinois (6-5, 2-5) at Minnesota (2-9, 1-6)
When: 2:30 p.m. at TCF Bank Stadium
TV: BTN
Radio: WIND 560-AM
Series: Minnesota leads 33-28-3; won 38-34 last year.
Coaches: Ron Zook (34-50, seventh year at Illinois); Jerry Kill (2-9, first year at Minnesota).
Players to watch: The Gophers had two 100-yard rushers in last week’s loss at Northwestern. QB MarQueis Gray finished with 147 yards, while RB Duane Bennett added 127. … The Illini turned to freshman Reilly O’Toole for several midgame possessions last week against Wisconsin. The Wheaton Warrenville South grad completed 7 of 12 passes for 53 yards and 2 interceptions. DL Whitney Mercilus tied a Big Ten record with his eighth forced fumble of the season.
The skinny: Illinois held Wisconsin to season lows in points (28) and total yards (285) last week, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the team’s losing streak from reaching five games. Even though the Illini are bowl eligible, many are wondering if this will be the last game for Zook. Minnesota has struggled in its first year under former NIU coach Jerry Kill, but the Gophers beat Iowa on Oct. 29.
Fast fact: With a victory at Minnesota, Illinois would record consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1989-90.
— Mike McGraw
