No. 22 Illinois Eyes Historic 9th Win in Regular Season Finale at Wrigley Field
The Fighting Illini face Northwestern on Saturday, aiming for their best season since 2007, while the Wildcats look to salvage pride in their final game.
- 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.