Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Illinois enjoying momentum as Rutgers comes to town

By Terry Towery Nov. 01, 2019 01:44 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Fleck believes keeping an open line of communication is the key to allowing him to redshirt a player without resistance, and avoid having an athlete make the decision himself. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Illinois has shot to earn bowl bid for 1st time under Smith

By Larry Lage Oct. 31, 2019 04:54 PM EDT

Michigan wide receiver Mike Sainristil (19) celebrates his 26-yard touchdown reception from Michigan quarterback Dylan McCaffrey (10), alongside wide receiver Cornelius Johnson (6) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. Michigan won 45-14. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
No. 14 Michigan on road to face struggling Terrapins

By Eric Olson Oct. 31, 2019 09:28 AM EDT

Ohio State defenders Chase Young (2) and Tyreke Smith (11) cause Wisconsin quarterback Jack Coan to fumble the ball on fourth down during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State beat Wisconsin 38-7. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Heisman Chase, upset Saturday in Big 12

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 26, 2019 09:22 PM EDT

Illinois place kicker James McCourt (17) kicks a field goal out of the hold of punter Blake Hayes (14) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Purdue, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in West Lafayette, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Fighting Illini splash through rain for 24-6 win at Purdue

By Michael Marot Oct. 26, 2019 03:32 PM EDT

Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst watches during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 13 Wisconsin looks for redemption against No. 3 Buckeyes

By Mitch Stacy Oct. 25, 2019 11:45 AM EDT

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm, center, watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 26-20. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Improving Illini defense creates big challenge for Purdue

By Michael Marot Oct. 25, 2019 02:00 AM EDT

Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters (18) is sacked by Wisconsin's Chris Orr (54) in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct.19, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 3 Buckeyes face toughest test to date vs No. 13 Badgers

By Eric Olson Oct. 24, 2019 02:13 AM EDT

Penn State coach James Franklin, right, and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, left, meet after an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Penn State won 28-21. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
AP Top 25 Takeaways: Week before showdown, Wisconsin exposed

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 19, 2019 10:01 PM EDT

Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) runs against West Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
Saturday's best

By The Associated Press Oct. 19, 2019 09:10 PM EDT

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Michigan in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Illinois stuns No. 6 Wisconsin with last-second FG

By The Associated Press Oct. 19, 2019 04:50 PM EDT

Illinois' Josh Imatorbhebhe, second from right, celebrates with teammates including Donny Navarro (86) after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Oct.19, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-21. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Illinois stuns No. 6 Wisconsin 24-23 on last-second FG

By Terry Towery Oct. 19, 2019 04:03 PM EDT

Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun (56) returns an interception for a touchdown against Michigan State wide receiver C.J. Hayes (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 6 Wisconsin hits the road against underdog Illinois

By Terry Towery Oct. 18, 2019 11:21 AM EDT

Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, left, talks with wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell (7) after a defensive pass interference call on Illinois in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Ohio State, Wisconsin take top midseason awards in Big Ten

By Eric Olson Oct. 17, 2019 03:42 PM EDT

Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor celebrates a touchdown against Michigan State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin won 38-0. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)
No. 6 Wisconsin looks to dominate Illinois

By The Associated Press Oct. 17, 2019 02:02 PM EDT

Purdue wide receiver David Bell (3) tries to get past Maryland defensive back Deonte Banks (33) as he picks up 30-yards on a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. Purdue defeated Maryland 40-14. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Michigan's hopes in East could hinge on visit to Penn State

By Eric Olson Oct. 17, 2019 02:11 AM EDT

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly, left, and Southern California head coach Clay Helton meet after an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Pick Six: Which coaches need strong finishes to keep jobs?

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 14, 2019 03:28 PM EDT

Illinois' Dominic Stampley (6) runs the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
Nebraska, Illinois will open 2021 football season in Ireland

By The Associated Press Oct. 14, 2019 11:08 AM EDT

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (22) carries on a 57-yard touchdown run in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Burrow brings No. 5 Tigers back to beat No. 7 Florida 42-28

By The Associated Press Oct. 12, 2019 06:41 PM EDT

Michigan quarterback Shea Patterson (2) keeps his eye on a receiver as he is pressured by Illinois' Bobby Roundtree (97) in the second half of an NCAA college football game between Illinois and Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Holly Hart)
No. 16 Michigan needs late surge to beat Illinois 42-25

By Terry Towery Oct. 12, 2019 05:54 PM EDT