Jake Hansen
FILE - Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald walks on the field during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., in this Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, file photo. Pat Fitzgerald figures he'll add a few more gray hairs by the time No. 15 Northwestern steps on the field to face No. 3 Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game on Saturday, Dec. 19. Then again, if Northwestern wins? “Not gonna lie to you, it would be a helluva ride home on I-65,” Fitzgerald said. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Big Ten Champions Week has game for title and 4 on undercard

By Eric Olson Dec. 17, 2020 01:44 AM EST

Iowa running back Tyler Goodson celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Nebraska, Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
No. 24 Iowa looking for a road win against surging Illinois

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 05:31 PM EST

Illinois running back Chase Brown carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 3 Ohio State goes on the road to face revitalized Illini

By The Associated Press Nov. 27, 2020 12:52 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey, left, and Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) go after the ball following a bad snap in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Nebraska recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illini win 2nd in row 41-23 over turnover-plagued Huskers

By Eric Olson Nov. 21, 2020 03:54 PM EST

Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Illinois, in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illinois at Nebraska 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 11:51 AM EST

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. throws during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
No. 9 Indiana visits No. 3 Ohio State in key Big Ten matchup

By Eric Olson Nov. 19, 2020 01:54 AM EST

A general view as Illinois takes on Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Illinois at Rutgers 11/14/2020

Nov. 14, 2020 02:45 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) is sacked by Iowa defensive linemen Jack Heflin (96) and Chauncey Golston (57) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Purdue wary of Illini as Boilermakers try to go 2-0

By Terry Towery Oct. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

Wisconsin wide receiver Danny Davis III celebrates his touchdown catch with Jake Ferguson (84) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Mertz, No. 14 Wisconsin rout Illinois 45-7 in Big Ten opener

By Steve Megargee Oct. 23, 2020 11:31 PM EDT

California coach Justin Wilcox, left, talks to an official during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
California takes on Illinois in Redbox Bowl

Michael Wagaman Dec. 29, 2019 10:02 AM EST

Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke throws a pass against Penn State during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Illinois can become bowl eligible by beating Michigan State

By Noah Trister Nov. 08, 2019 02:12 AM EST

Rodney Smith, Gophers run over Illinois on way to 40-17 win

By Brian Hall Oct. 05, 2019 07:10 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tanner Morgan saw the defense sink towards the line of scrimmage preparing to stop Minnesota's surging rushing attack. The Gophers quarterback...

Illinois's Mike Epstein (26) runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Akron, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Illinois crushes Akron 42-3 in home opener

By Terry Towery Aug. 31, 2019 03:48 PM EDT