ILLINOIS vs. MINNESOTA

When: 2:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: KFAN, 100.3 FM
Weather: 44 degrees, partly sunny, 6 mph north wind
Betting spread: Minnesota, -1.5

Records: The Gophers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) won its second-straight game, 27-12 over Michigan State last Saturday. The Illini (3-5, 1-4) had a bye week to prepare for Minnesota after giving up 18 fourth-quarter points in a 25-21 homecoming loss to Wisconsin on Oct. 21.

History: Bret Bielema is a 9-0 against Minnesota — 2-0 at Illinois and 7-0 at Wisconsin. With Minnesota, P.J. Fleck is 3-3 against the Illini and can win his 50th game at the U on Saturday.

Key matchup: Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer vs. Gophers linebackers. Altmyer, an Ole Miss transfer, leads the team with 453 rushing yards gained this season. He has 259 yards on scrambles, which might force Cody Lindenberg and Co. to spy and better contain him.

Who has the edge?

Gophers offense vs. Illinois defense: Last year’s Illini DC Ryan Walters has become Purdue’s head coach with defensive backs coach Aaron Henry promoted to DC. … Gophers OC Greg Harbaugh expects QB Athan Kaliakmanis to have to deal with plenty of disguised looks from the Illini. It will be a challenge for Kaliakmanis, who believes from an accuracy and fundamental standpoint he played his best half against Michigan State last week. In the first half, Kaliakmanis completed 13 of 18 (72 percent) for 190 yards, one touchdown, zero interceptions and one fumble lost. … The Illini secondary has slipped without CB Devon Witherspoon and S Sydney Brown; they are allowing 235 yards through the air per game (78th in the nation). … Illini stars Jer’Zhan Newton and Keith Randolph are nicknamed the “Law Firm” as one of the best pairs of tackles in the nation. Tied for FBS lead with 31 pressures, Newton will suspended for first half Saturday due to targeting call two weeks ago against Wisconsin. … G Tyler Cooper missed the Michigan State game with an injury. He is the U’s highest-graded pass blocker and his replacement, true freshman Greg Johnson, has the team’s lowest in pass sets, per Pro Football Focus. … RB Jordan Nubin’s 40 carries against the Spartans set an FBS high this season. He might be called on for another big role Saturday. The Illini are last in the conference, allowing nearly 400 total yards per game. They were seveond-best a year ago. EDGE: Gophers

Gophers defense vs. Illinois offense: After an 8-5 season in 2022, an opposing Big Ten assistant called the Illini’s season thus far. “They could take a step back … with as much as they’ve turned over,” he told Athlon Sports … RB Chase Brown is gone, but RB Kaden Feagin is a beast, listed at 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds. The true freshman is a bit of surprise leader on the ground instead of returners Reggie Love III and Josh McCrary. LB Cody Lindenberg said swarming to the ball carrier will be key given Feagin’s size. “They’re more Wisconsin than Wisconsin,” the anonymous coach said. … Lindenberg, an all-Big Ten caliber player, made his season debut against Michigan State. Given his long absence, the U limited his snaps to under 40 and he chipped in three tackles. …CB Justin Walley, played 39 of the 59 snaps vs. the Spartans due to injury; he did not finish the game. That’s a concern given the talent of WR Isaiah Williams, who is second in the Big Ten with 70 receiving yards per game this season. Williams, however, only has one TD. … DE Jah Joyner has a team-high 19 pressures this season, with DC Joe Rossi believing Joyner is only scratching the surface. EDGE: Gophers

Special teams: K Dragan Kesich had a field goal blocked against Michigan State, but has made 84 percent of his kicks this season. K Caleb Griffin has a big leg like Kesich but has made only 67 percent of his field goals. … Illini punt return Isaiah Williams has averaged 16 yards on seven punt returns. The U is still waiting to break off its own big return. EDGE: Illinois

Prediction: At Wisconsin, Bret Bielema drove Tim Brewster and other U coaches crazy with his seven-game winning streak. Fleck now considers Bielema a buddy among Big Ten coaches, but a third straight loss would turn them into more frenemies. Minnesota, 21-19

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