Illinois

Break tradition

Minnesota has a six-game Homecoming winning streak in addition to winning six of the last seven contests against the Illini. Illinois was embarrassed the last time it faced Minnesota on its Homecoming, dropping the contest 45-0, with Minnesota totaling 587 yards of offense. Minnesota might not be as prolific now as then, but is still a threat.

Bring the house

The Illinois defensive front has dominated opponents this year, totaling 30 sacks on the season. The rotating defensive ends and interior linemen has allowed a fresh front four to constantly get in opposing teams’ backfields. Pressuring redshirt freshman quarterback Adam Weber will be an integral part of an Illinois victory.

Minnesota

Got Weber?

The Gophers’ Weber has passed well this year, throwing for 19 touchdowns. He also runs well, rushing for 430 net yards on the season. He will have to have one of his best games this week both throwing and passing if he wants to help Minnesota’s cause.

Win the battle in the trenches

Illinois’ offensive and defensive lines are likely superior to their Minnesota counterparts on paper. But if the Gophers’ linemen can play one of their better games, they will give Minnesota a much better chance this week. The experienced players on the line, like fifth-year defensive tackles Neel Allen and Todd Meisel and fifth-year left tackle Steve Shidell, will have to lead the way.

History

Saturday night’s game between the Fighting Illini and the Golden Gophers is the 61st meeting between the pair of charter Big Ten schools. Minnesota leads the series 31-26-3 and has not lost to the Illini since Illinois’ 2001 Big Ten championship season. The Illini are winless in their last four trips to the Metrodome. Gophers head coach Tim Brewster co-captained the Illini’s 1983 Rose Bowl team.