Illinois football suffered back-to-back losses in it’s last two games, but things aren’t letting up, as the Illini head to Iowa City this weekend.

The 2-2 Illini face the 2-2 Hawkeyes at 11 a.m. Saturday. But while the game will pit rivals against each other for the Hawkeyes’ Homecoming, Illinois head coach Ron Zook said he is certain his team will come ready to play.

“The way we handle adversity is going to determine what kind of team we are,” Zook said at Tuesday’s press conference. “I told them last night that this is our first true test of adversity and how we bounce back, how we handle it, and how we compete against a good Iowa football team will determine what kind of football team we are, and where we are at.”

The two teams suffered equally painful losses last week. Iowa, which had been ranked, fell to Ohio State 31-6 in Columbus. Zook said he expects both teams to look to those losses as fuel for Saturday’s game.

Junior running back E.B. Halsey said the players also know Iowa will be on fire Saturday, but that Illinois is ready to match that intensity. He said the Illini believe they beat themselves last weekend and are not going to let it happen again.

“Guys are really locking into Iowa,” Halsey said. “They’re a team that plays sound football. They’re not going to beat themselves, they’re not going to turn the ball over. So that’s one of our main goals as an offense – not turning the ball over, not giving up sacks, not having any missed assignments. And on defense we can play with a little bit more passion, a little bit more emotion.”

While Illinois’ mental state will be important this weekend, there are other factors that could hurt the team. Despite Zook’s statements that there were no injuries after the Michigan State game “other than our pride,” some key players have sat out a practice or two this week. Running back Pierre Thomas was hurt early in the week, and defensive back Morris Virgil has been nursing a strained shoulder. Defensive lineman Josh Norris was hit while riding his Moped on Sept. 22, but was back practicing on Wednesday. Sophomore offensive lineman Jim LaBonte suffered a hip injury on Saturday, and was in a walking cast at practice Wednesday.

But sophomore safety Justin Harrison looked good last weekend and should get even more time on the field against Iowa. Zook said he was impressed with how Harrison performed against the Spartans, given it was his first game of the year.

Expectations from Iowa were higher at the start of the season, and the Hawkeyes are just as anxious to be back over .500.

Iowa coach Kirk Frentz said his team, like Illinois, is focusing on the little things and making overall improvements.

“We need to play good football. That’s our primary focus,” Frentz said. “What we need to worry about is us, just getting better each day, each week.”

But while Iowa wants a win, and will have a Homecoming crowd to support it, Halsey said the Illini won’t give up on this game.

“That’s the great thing about college football, going on the road, a lot of people don’t expect much of you,” Halsey said. “So to go into somebody else’s house and get a win is exciting. That’s what football is about.”