The Big Ten football season gets underway at 7 p.m. Friday when Illinois takes on No. 14 Wisconsin on the road in Madison. BTN will televise the game.
Line: Wisconsin by 19 1/2.
Series record: Wisconsin 42-37-7
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Wisconsin seeks to avenge last year’s 24-23 loss at Illinois, one of the season’s biggest upsets. The Badgers were favored in that game by 30½ points. Wisconsin also wants to take the first step toward winning its fourth Big Ten West Division title in the last five years. A second straight upset of Wisconsin would show that Illinois is showing progress under Lovie Smith, who enters his fifth season with a 15-34 record after helping the Illini go 6-7 last year and earn their first bowl bid since 2014.
KEY MATCHUP
Wisconsin RBs Garrett Groshek, Nakia Watson and Isaac Guerendo vs. Illinois run defense: Groshek, Watson and Guerendo figure to get the bulk of the carries early on as the Badgers attempt to replace two-time Doak Walker Award winner and Indianapolis Colts rookie Jonathan Taylor. They’ll be running against an Illinois defense that lost most of its top linemen from last season. Illinois is counting on a big season from defensive tackle and South Carolina State graduate transfer Roderick Perry, who had 14 1/2 tackles for loss last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Illinois QB Brandon Peters: The Michigan transfer is back after throwing for 1,884 yards with 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his first season at Illinois. Peters was 9 of 21 for 174 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions against Wisconsin last year.
Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz: This heralded redshirt freshman will make his first career start Friday after foot surgery left returning starter Jack Coan out indefinitely. According to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, Mertz is Wisconsin’s first top-100 signee who didn’t play on the offensive line since 2007.
FACTS & FIGURES
This game won’t have any fans due to the coronavirus pandemic. … Wisconsin had beaten Illinois nine straight times before losing to the Illini last season. … Wisconsin’s defense returns eight players who made at least six starts last season. … Illinois returns four starters on the offensive line. … Wisconsin has won at least 10 games five of the last six seasons. … Illinois is seeking its first winning season since recording consecutive 7-6 finishes in 2010 and 2011.
