Chase Brown
Current football players enter the memorial service for their late Mississippi State football coach Mike Leach, at Humphrey Coliseum on the university's campus in Starkville, Miss., Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Leach died, Dec. 12, 2022, from complications related to a heart condition at 61. He was in his third year as head coach. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
No. 24 Mississippi State faces Illinois with heavy hearts

By Mark Didtler Jan. 01, 2023 10:53 AM EST

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud looks for an open pass against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Williams, Stroud, Hooker finalists for Maxwell as top player

Nov. 29, 2022 02:47 PM EST

Illinois offensive lineman Alex Palczewski runs on the field with the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Illinois defeated Northwestern 41-3 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois rips Northwestern, falls short in Big Ten West bid

By Matt Carlson Nov. 26, 2022 07:06 PM EST

Northwestern running back Evan Hull (26) leaps for a gain as he runs against Purdue during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. Purdue defeated Northwestern 17-9. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Illinois seeks win over Northwestern plus help to win West

By The Associated Press Nov. 23, 2022 12:15 PM EST

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh watches against Illinois in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Big Ten: Mich-Ohio St to settle East; Iowa win away in West

By Eric Olson Nov. 23, 2022 02:22 AM EST

Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower (7) evades Michigan defensive back Rod Moore (19)in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 3 Michigan beats Illinois 19-17 after Corum hurts knee

By Larry Lage Nov. 19, 2022 04:02 PM EST

Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) congratulates running back Donovan Edwards (7) after scoring a touchdown against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
No. 3 Michigan hosts Illinois, shooting to stay undefeated

By The Associated Press Nov. 17, 2022 02:47 PM EST

Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) can't pull in a pass as Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog (13) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 3 Michigan hosts Illinois in Big Ten bruiser

By Bob Tripi Nov. 17, 2022 12:50 PM EST

UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
What To Watch: Pac-12 takes center stage with two showdowns

By Steve Megargee Nov. 17, 2022 03:10 AM EST

Illinois running back Chase Brown carries the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Big Ten: Illini last obstacle for Michigan before 'The Game'

By Eric Olson Nov. 17, 2022 03:10 AM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell passes during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
O'Connell, Durham lead Purdue past No. 21 Illinois 31-24

By Gavin Good Nov. 12, 2022 04:33 PM EST

Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell (16) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Marc Lebryk)
Purdue visits No. 21 Illinois in key Big Ten West matchup

By Gavin Good Nov. 10, 2022 03:40 PM EST

Nebraska's tight end Chancellor Brewington (82) is tackled by Illinois' defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) in the first quarter during a football game between Illinois and Nebraska, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.(Noah Riffe/Lincoln Journal Star via AP)
No. 21 Illinois hosts Purdue with division title on the line

By The Associated Press Nov. 10, 2022 02:54 PM EST

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm talks with quarterback Aidan O'Connell during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 35-24. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
Big Ten: Purdue visits No. 21 Illini in West Division clash

By Eric Olson Nov. 10, 2022 03:10 AM EST

Illinois head coach Bret Bielema points to fans following his team's 26-9 victory over Nebraska in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Improved Illinois extends contract of OC Barry Lunney Jr.

Nov. 09, 2022 01:00 PM EST

Illinois wide receiver Brian Hightower, left, is upended by Michigan State linebacker Aaron Brule during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Michigan State halts skid by upending No. 14 Illinois 23-15

By Gavin Good Nov. 05, 2022 07:49 PM EDT

Security and police break up a scuffle between players from Michigan and Michigan State football teams in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan State President Samuel Stanley has apologized and says the actions of the football players who were involved in a postgame melee with Michigan players are “unacceptable.” He also says the players involved would be held responsible by coach Mel Tucker. (Kyle Austin/MLive Media Group via AP)
No. 14 Illinois hosts downtrodden Michigan State

By Gavin Good Nov. 03, 2022 03:56 PM EDT

Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne (10) throws against Michigan in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
High-flying No. 14 Illinois hosts struggling Michigan State

The Associated Press Nov. 03, 2022 02:20 PM EDT

Nebraska offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple, left, chats with quarterback Casey Thompson after he threw an interception against Illinois during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
No. 17 Illinois beats Cornhuskers 26-9 for 6th straight win

By Eric Olson Oct. 29, 2022 07:05 PM EDT

Illinois quarterback Tommy DeVito throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
No. 17 Illinois puts 5-game win streak on line vs Huskers

By The Associated Press Oct. 27, 2022 12:20 PM EDT