Nov. 28--TV/radio: 2:30 pm. Saturday; ESPNU, WSCR-AM 670, WGN-AM 720.
Line: Northwestern by 3.5.
Records: Northwestern 9-2, 5-2 Big Ten; Illinois 5-6, 2-5.
Last meeting: Illinois won 47-33 on Nov. 29, 2014, in Evanston.
On the offensive: The Illini could use another explosive running attack like they had against Purdue (382 yards). Ke'Shawn Vaughn, back from a concussion, and Josh Ferguson will try to provide a one-two punch. Northwestern knows Justin Jackson can perform against the Illini after he rushed for 130 yards and two TDs last season. He ranks third in the conference with 106.5 rushing yards per game.
Getting defensive: Illinois' offensive line must protect QB Wes Lunt from NU DE Deonte Gibson, who's tied for 14th in the nation with 0.82 sacks per game and had three last week against Wisconsin. Defense has been the Illini's strong suit, led by safety Clayton Fejedelem. The former walk-on ranks sixth nationally with 11.3 tackles per game.
The number: 1. Victories from bowl eligibility for the Illini heading into the regular-season finale.
The talk: The game is playing second fiddle to the news of whether Illinois will retain interim coach Bill Cubit. An announcement is expected Sunday.
Shannon Ryan's pick: Northwestern's defense is too solid for Illinois' sporadic offense. The Illini will play with motivation, but the Wildcats are the better team. Northwestern 23, Illinois 20.
