Bouncing Around the Big Ten: Nebraska tasked with red-hot Illinois

Oct. 27—With Minnesota and Iowa both suffering blowout losses last week, the two squads aim to rebound this week, while Nebraska comes off its bye to take on one of the nation's top defenses. Here's a look at all three matchups, as well as the rest of the conference.

The 17th-ranked Fighting Illini (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) have won five straight, their longest streak since posting seven consecutive victories in 2010-11, which also was the last time they were ranked this high. They come off a bye holding a half-game lead in the West over Purdue, while Nebraska (3-4, 2-2) is one game behind the leader.

Illinois' last game was a 26-14 home win Oct. 15 over Minnesota, in which it held its opponent to 180 yards. The Illini lead the country in scoring defense (8.9) and total defense (221.1) and rank second in rushing defense (77.9) and passing defense (143.3). Their 12 interceptions are tied for second-most in the country.

"They've got a really good scheme, they're well coached and they stick to their guns," Nebraska interim coach Mickey Joseph said. "They don't do much, but what they do they do very well."

Nebraska is 2-2 since Joseph was elevated to replace Scott Frost after three games, and during his tenure the Cornhuskers won their first road game in almost two years and picked up consecutive league wins for the first time since 2018.

"He's definitely had a huge impact on kind of just what's happened since that transition," Illinois coach Bret Bielema said of Joseph. "I noticed the difference on offense, defense and really, even on special teams, the way they're playing the game."

The 'Huskers also are coming off a bye, having lost 43-37 at Purdue before the off week.

Quarterback play will be a big factor in this matchup. While Illinois is tops in the conference in defending the pass, Nebraska is last, meaning Illini senior Tommy DeVito could be in for another big game.

The Syracuse transfer was 25 of 32 for 252 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota and for the season is completing 70.4% of his passes. Nebraska junior Casey Thompson is at 64.1%, and his eight interceptions are tied for second-most in the conference, but he threw for 354 yards at Purdue and has topped the 300-yard mark three times in 2022.

Illinois has won the last two meetings against Nebraska, including a 30-22 home victory to open the 2021 season. The Cornhuskers are 6-3 in the series since joining the Big Ten. The game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. from Lincoln.

After a 4-0 start, including three wins against nonconference opponents, Minnesota (4-3, 1-3 in Big Ten) has lost three straight conference matchups. The Gophers have been without quarterback Tanner Morgan, who is dealing with a concussion, and could again turn to Athan Kaliakmanis should Morgan not clear protocol.

Kaliakmanis gave the Minnesota offense a jolt of energy in a 45-17 loss at Penn State last Saturday. Head coach P.J. Fleck said no one is happy about the last three games, but the team can either remain where it is or change.

"I think we have a very confident football team that needs to get back to playing confident," Fleck said. "But that's earned as well."

He added that the Minnesota pass rush has not fared well (nine sacks) and the pass defense has to improve.

On the bright side, running back Mohamed Ibrahim has totaled 796 yards and 10 touchdowns and is averaging 5.9 yards per carry.

Rutgers (4-3, 1-3 Big Ten) picked up a 24-17 win over Indiana at home last Saturday as Scarlet Knights running back Samuel Brown V ran for 101 yards.

Rutgers has a winning record through seven games for the first time since 2014. The program is sixth in the nation in rushing defense (87.4 yards per game) and seventh in total defense (283.9 yards per game).

On special teams, Rutgers leads the Big Ten and is third in the country with four blocked kicks. Offensively, the Scarlet Knights have had 12 players score at least one touchdown.

Rutgers has averaged just 11 points per game in its three losses. The Knights could start Noah Vedral, Gavin Wimsatt or Evan Simon at quarterback against Minnesota.

The game gets underway at 1:30 p.m. from Minnesota.

At both Iowa and Northwestern, fans are wondering when their favorites will win a game again, but one side will prevail on Saturday when the Wildcats and Hawkeyes meet in Iowa City, Iowa.

"Losing doesn't feel good," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. "It affects you. There's nothing good about it. ... Hopefully everyone involved in this organization is tired of losing. It's just not fun."

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald shared the same sentiments.

"I apologize to all of our fans — our record isn't where we want it to be," Fitzgerald said. "What, have we lost four one-score games and one game that could have easily gone our way if we had made a few more plays down the stretch? That eats at nobody more than me. I mean, it eats at me like you wouldn't believe."

The good news about the Wildcats' visit to Iowa is that Northwestern (1-6, 1-3 Big Ten) will cast aside its six-game losing streak, or the Hawkeyes (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) will shed their three-game skid.

One thing seems certain: Neither team will score a lot of points.

Iowa ranks last nationally in total yards per game (227.3) and 128th out of 131 FBS teams with 14.0 points per game. Northwestern stands next-to-last in the Big Ten and 118th nationally with 18.6 points per game.

In an effort to find more production, both coaches have tinkered with their quarterback situation. Last week, Brendan Sullivan made his first start for Northwestern in a 31-24 loss to Maryland and completed 18 of 24 passes for 143 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while also rushing for 53 yards and a score.

Iowa has turned this week's practices into a competition between senior Spencer Petras and junior Alex Padilla, who made his first appearance this season during last week's 54-10 loss at No. 2 Ohio State.

"We haven't made a decision yet — I'm not sure when we will," Kirk Ferentz said.

Northwestern has won its last three visits to Kinnick Stadium, but hasn't won on North American soil since Oct. 16, 2021, versus Rutgers. The game is set to start at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 15

Penn State 45, Minnesota 17

Ohio State 54, Iowa 10

Rutgers 24, Indiana 17

Wisconsin 35, Purdue 24

Maryland 31, Northwestern 24

Saturday, Oct. 22

No. 2 Ohio State at No. 13 Penn State, 11 a.m.

Rutgers at Minnesota, 1:30 p.m.

No. 17 Illinois at Nebraska, 2:30 p.m.

Northwestern at Iowa, 2:30 p.m.

Michigan State at No. 4 Michigan, 6:30 p.m.

* Ohio State stayed at No. 2 for the third week in a row and is receiving 18 first-place votes.

* Michigan stood fast at No. 4 for the second consecutive week.

* Penn State moved up three spots to No. 13 thanks to a win over Minnesota.

* After a six-spot climb last week, Illinois is up another place to No. 17.

* Maryland is the lone team in the Big Ten to receive votes but not make the top 25.

Three FBS games you should tune into this weekend:

No. 2 Penn State at No. 13 Ohio State — 11 a.m. Saturday — Penn State hasn't beaten Ohio State since 2016, but since then each game has been at least a two-score game, including a pair of one-point Ohio State wins. On top of that, this game marks the best opponent the Buckeyes have taken on this year and is the best foe until Michigan in the final week of the season.

Notre Dame at No. 16 Syracuse — 11 a.m. Saturday — Syracuse played Clemson close yet still suffered its first loss of the season to the Tigers last week. Notre Dame's offense hasn't been great all season, but the Fighting Irish have rebounded from an 0-2 start and now sit at 4-3 with wins over now-ranked UNC and then-No. 16 BYU.

Pitt at No. 21 UNC — 7 p.m. Saturday — Despite a lackluster defense, UNC's offense can keep it in any game. And while Pitt doesn't boast as good of an offense, its defense is good enough to keep this one close with a still-solid offense. This game should be one of the better games of the late slate.

Note: This report was compiled in part through previews from Field Level Media.