Oct. 31--TV/radio: 11 a.m. Saturday; ESPN2, WSCR-AM 670.
Line: Penn State by 5.
Records: Illinois 4-3, 1-2 Big Ten; Penn State 6-2, 3-1.
Last meeting: Illinois won 16-14 on Nov. 22, 2014, in Champaign.
On the offensive: A rash of injuries on offense is hampering the Illini on third down and in the red zone. The receivers' continued drops (40 on the season) aren't helping either. QB Wes Lunt carries the burden of moving the offense.
Getting defensive: The defense has been holding its own but can't give up big plays like it did last weekend against Wisconsin. SS Taylor Barton and CB Eaton Spence each have three interceptions and will try to disrupt Penn State QB Christian Hackenberg.
The number: 3.9. Sacks per game for the Penn State defense, which leads the Big Ten. Illinois ranks first in the conference with 1.1 sacks allowed per game.
The talk: A victory would put the Illini back on the right track toward bowl eligibility after two straight losses.
Shannon Ryan's pick: Illinois has a chance but is too beat up right now to win in a hostile environment like Beaver Stadium. Penn State 27, Illinois 21.
