How do you watch the Gophers at #24 Illinois and 3 keys to a Minnesota win
Minnesota takes their 3-game winning streak to Illinois where they are somehow favored to beat the #24 Fighting Illini.
How to Watch
TV: FS1
Time: 11:00
Stream: FoxSports.com
Sitting at 6-2, with their only losses to Penn State and Oregon, Illinois is looking like they are back to competitive football. Can the Gophers go on the road to Champaign and get a win over a ranked team?
3 KEYS
- Get your Brett Bielema voodoo doll ready – Bielema has never lost to Minnesota and I’m sure he isn’t planning on today being the first. Feel free to poke that doll hard.
- Can we run the ball? – The Illinois rush defense is not very good, ranking 16th in the Big Ten. Typically a strength for Gopher football, but we haven’t been rushing the ball very well this year. Can they get that turned around today?
- Do the little things – Win 3rd down, win the turnover battle, don’t commit penalties. Do the little things right and win because you’e the more disciplined team.
OPPOSING PLAYERS TO WATCH
- #9 QB – Luke Altmyer – Would love to see their senior quarterback throw a pick or two. When he throws an interception, they lose.
- #17 LB – Gabe Jacas – 2nd in the Big Ten in sacks, keeping him off Brosmer is as much of a key as the three things listed above.
PREDICTION
Statistically, these teams are very similar. Minnesota has a slightly better passing game, Illinois has a better rushing attack. Both teams force a lot of turnovers while not turning it over much. Both teams score around 27 points per game and are giving up right around 27 points per game.
The line opened with Illinois as a 3-point favorite and has moved to Minnesota being a 2.5-point favorite. How? Why? I don’t know. Until we beat a Brett Bielema team, I cannot pick us to beat a Brett Bielema team.
Minnesota – 17
Illinois – 21