Minnesota @ Illinois preview
Memorial Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2009 ) Illinois 35, Minnesota 32
Illinois coach Ron Zook has a big challenge this week and it has very little to do with hosting Minnesota on Saturday.
Zook must somehow get his players to shake off last week's crushing 67-65 triple-overtime loss at Michigan.
Accomplishing that might be easier said than done. The Illini defense, which has had its good moments this season, was torched for 676 yards. The defensive breakdown negated a big for day for Illinois' offense, which gained 561 total yards, including 315 on the ground.
Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase passed for 211 yards and ran for 101 while Mikel Leshoure ran for 120 yards, but it didn't matter because the defense couldn't stop the Wolverines even though quarterback Denard Robinson left the game in the second half with dizziness.
There is some good news for Illinois (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten). Minnesota comes to town with a nine-game losing streak and the Gophers (1-9, 0-6) haven't played a competitive game in weeks.
The Illini still have plenty to play for in this game, even if last week's result is still hanging over the players. Illinois needs one win to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007, an accomplishment that looked iffy at best when the season started.
Considering how little resistance the Gophers have put up lately, coming away with a win shouldn't be too difficult for Illinois. The offense could be in for another big day against Minnesota's porous defense.
Minnesota's lost season gets worse by the week. The Gophers haven't won since beating Middle Tennessee 24-17 in the season opener. It's been nothing but bad news since.
Coach Tim Brewster was fired last month and injuries and suspensions have been a constant distraction. The Gophers have been outscored 116-39 since Jeff Horton was moved up from offensive coordinator to interim head coach after Brewster was fired.
Minnesota's latest loss came by a 31-8 score last week at Michigan State.
Quarterback Adam Weber, a four-year starter, continues to move up the charts in the Big Ten record book for passing accomplishments, but the transition to next season has already started.
Sophomore MarQueis Gray, next season's likely starter at quarterback, took a few snaps last week in a trend that will likely continue in the final two games.
Gray was recruited as a quarterback and saw some time at the position in 2009. He was moved to receiver in the spring and is second on the team in catches, but with this season a lost cause, Horton wants him to gain additional experience at his likely position in 2010.
Defensive tackle Brandon Kirksey, a team captain, will return after being suspended for the Michigan State game.