This is a better take a look at the applications, ranked from least to most definitely to tug off a signature Week 7 win.
Be aware: All video games are scheduled for Saturday.
vs. No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0 in Huge Ten) • 12 p.m. ET (Fox)
The Illini flopped of their first ranked recreation of the season, falling to Indiana, 63-10, on Sep. 20. Even so, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is not shopping for that as an correct illustration of Illinois, telling reporters earlier this week, “I am unable to clarify that recreation… It’s important to throw out the movie as a result of that is not who we’re taking part in.” (h/t The Morning Solar)
Illinois wants a particular efficiency from quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has probably the most go makes an attempt (148) with out an interception amongst energy convention quarterbacks this season. The fifth-year senior is finishing a career-high 73.6 % of his go makes an attempt for 1,573 yards (10.6 yards per try) and 15 whole touchdowns (12 passing, two speeding, one receiving). He is considered one of 5 FBS gamers with at the very least one landing passing, speeding and receiving, together with senior large receiver teammate Hank Beatty and three others. (h/t Stathead)
The Illini will want their dynamic playmakers to have large video games as a result of the secondary shall be examined towards a difficult Ohio State offense. Illinois is final within the Huge Ten in go protection (252.3 yards per recreation), and in three earlier video games towards profitable FBS groups, the protection has allowed 329 passing yards per recreation. In Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin’s first two convention video games, he accomplished 81.1 % of his go makes an attempt for 534 yards (9.7 yards per try) and 5 touchdowns.
at No. 3 Oregon Geese (5-0, 2-0 in Huge Ten) • 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Indiana and Oregon rank first and third, respectively, in common margin of victory, with the Hoosiers outscoring opponents 239-48 (38.2 factors per recreation). The Geese have received their first 5 video games by a mean of 34.4 factors.
Whereas Indiana was top-of-the-line tales in faculty soccer final season, it is shortly changing into top-of-the-line groups within the sport. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza deserves consideration for the Heisman. He leads the Huge Ten in passing touchdowns (16) whereas solely throwing one interception and finishing 73 % of his passes.
However as sturdy as Indiana, which can be second within the convention in scoring and whole protection, has seemed, it hasn’t proved itself on a stage as large because the one it is going to be on towards Oregon.
The Hoosiers are 1-19 of their final 20 highway video games towards ranked groups, together with 0-2 below head coach Curt Cignetti. In the meantime, the Geese have been on this place quite a few instances and are 7-1 at house towards ranked opponents below head coach Dan Lanning.
vs. No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1, 2-0 in SEC) • 12 p.m. ET (ABC)
Missouri sophomore working again Ahmad Hardy has been considered one of this 12 months’s most impactful switch portal additions, main the nation with 730 speeding yards and averaging 7.1 yards per carry for a Tigers program that’s tied with Ole Miss for the second-best win share amongst SEC groups because the begin the 2023 season (26-5), trailing Georgia (28-5).
Whereas Alabama has rebounded properly from a humbling Week 1 loss to No. 25 Florida State (3-2, 0-2 in ACC), it is struggled at stopping the run, permitting the second-most yards per carry within the convention (4.65) and 155.4 rush yards per recreation, which ranks thirteenth within the SEC. Conversely, Missouri has been stout towards the run, permitting 62.4 yards per recreation and a couple of.64 yards per carry. If these traits proceed, the Tigers might decide up their first win over the Tide in 50 years.
