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Illinois seeks to stun No. 14 Badgers for 2nd straight year

Posted October 21, 2020 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2018, file photo, Wisconsin running back Garrett Groshek (37) heads to the end zone with a 42-yard touchdown against Western Kentucky during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Madison, Wis. Groshek ran for 194 yards on 42 carries and caught 29 passes for 289 yards last season. (AP Photo/Andy Manis, File) The Associated Press

Illinois at No. 14 Wisconsin, Friday at 8 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).

Line: Wisconsin by 19 1/2.

Series record: Wisconsin 42-37-7

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Wisconsin seeks to avenge a 24-23 loss at Illinois from last year in one of the season's biggest upsets. The Badgers were favored in that game by 30 ˆ½ points. Wisconsin also wants to take the first step toward winning its fourth Big Ten West Division title in the last five years. A second straight upset of Wisconsin would show that Illinois is showing progress under Lovie Smith, who enters his fifth season with a 15-34 record after helping the Illini go 6-7 and earn their first bowl bid since 2014 last year.

KEY MATCHUP

Wisconsin RBs Garrett Groshek, Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo vs. Illinois run defense: Groshek, Watson and Guerendo figure to get the bulk of the carries early on as the Badgers attempt to replace two-time Doak Walker Award winner and Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor. They'll be running against an Illinois defense that lost most of its top linemen from last season. Illinois is counting on a big season from defensive tackle and South Carolina State graduate transfer Roderick Perry, who had 14 1/2 tackles for loss last season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH1,

Illinois: QB Brandon Peters: The Michigan transfer is back after throwing for 1,884 yards with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his first season at Illinois. Peters was 9 of 21 for 174 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions against Wisconsin last year.

Wisconsin: QB Graham Mertz: This heralded redshirt freshman will make his first career start Friday after foot surgery left returning starter Jack Coan out indefinitely. According to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Mertz is Wisconsin's first top-100 signee who didn't play on the offensive line since 2007.

FACTS & FIGURES

This game won't have any fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. '¦ Wisconsin had beaten Illinois nine straight times before losing to the Illini last season. '¦ Wisconsin's defense returns eight players who made at least six starts last season. '¦ Illinois returns four starters on the offensive line. '¦ Wisconsin has won at least 10 games five of the last six seasons. '¦ Illinois is seeking its first winning season since recording consecutive 7-6 finishes in 2010 and 2011.

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More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, file photo, Illinois coach Lovie Smith stands along the sideline during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Nebraska, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois appears poised to make a statement in the Big Ten during the 2020 season. (AP Photo/Holly Hart, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2019, file photoWisconsin's Graham Mertz reacts to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Michigan in Madison, Wis. Mertz is about to get his chance to show he's worthy of all the acclaim that accompanied his arrival on campus last year. Now that foot surgery has sidelined returning starter Jack Coan indefinitely, Mertz is likely to open the season as the 16th-ranked Badgers' first-team quarterback. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File) The Associated Press

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