Overview

• Illinois, ranked No. 22 in the AP Poll and No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings, sits at 8-3 and seeks its first nine-win season since 2007.
• The Illini defeated Rutgers 38-31 last week with a dramatic 40-yard touchdown pass from Luke Altmyer to Pat Bryant in the final seconds.
• Pat Bryant, named Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week, has been a key playmaker with three game-winning touchdowns in the final minute or overtime this season.
• Northwestern, at 4-7, has struggled recently, being outscored 81-13 in its past two games, including a 50-6 loss to Michigan last week.
• Saturday's game at Wrigley Field marks Illinois' third appearance at the historic venue, while Northwestern remains winless (0-4) there since college football returned to the stadium in 2010.