The Illinois Fighting Illini play host to the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a Big Ten showdown on Saturday from Memorial Stadium. The Golden Gophers lost their last time out but are hoping that coming off of a bye week, they can put that defeat behind them as they hit the road. For the Illini, they've won four in a row and there might not be a hotter team in the division than the home team right now. Last season, Illinois was able to come away with the win on the road but with only three wins in the last ten meetings, they are looking to take control in this series on Saturday.
For Minnesota, an undefeated start to the season had a number of fans and analysts thinking that they could be the team to beat in the Big Ten West. A loss two weeks ago to Purdue quickly changed the momentum for this group, especially with that loss coming at home, as the Golden Gophers look to change course this weekend. A win already this season against Michigan State on the road serves to show that this team won't be daunted away from home against quality competition, though taking down a red-hot Illinois team could be a tough ask for this group. In last season's meeting, Minnesota struggled to move the ball at all at home and now that they take to the road in the rematch, it could spell trouble in a crucial game.
All eyes for the Golden Gophers are on Mohamed Ibrahim (ankle) to see if the star running back is able to play on Saturday. After missing the Purdue game, it's clear that they'll need him back in the lineup, especially with backup Zach Evans (leg) questionable. Adding to the injury woes is a pair of tight ends as well, only further thinning pout this group on the offensive side.
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Offensively, Minnesota is one of the most experienced groups in the country and it certainly showed over the first few weeks of the season. Tanner Morgan leads the charge at quarterback, though the senior will need to limit the turnovers on the road in this one. Overall, it all comes down to the Golden Gophers' ability to move the ball on the ground. With the nation's fifth-ranked ground game, Ibrahim (6.4 yards per carry) has the ability to change the game in a hurry if he can break one off. Given the injuries at tight end and receiver, a heavy dose of Ibrahim will be expected in this one.
The Golden Gophers are lucky to have a defense to match its offense and given that they rank first in total defense and second against the pass and in scoring defense, they should be able to make life challenging for Illinois. The Fighting Illini have one of the worst passing offenses in the country and if the Golden Gophers can key in on the run, they'll have a great chance at controlling the game and grabbing the win in this one. Mariano Sori-Marin (32 tackles) is the anchor of the defense but with a secondary that attacks the ball like few others nationally, this group will be flying around the field in this one.