Nov. 8 -- Illinois might be idle this week -- a much needed break in the schedule -- but beat writer Scott Richey isn't. He ranks all six of
the Big Ten matchups along with his picks for Illinois MVP, Big Ten MVP and thoughts on the Illini's latest bowl game projections:
* Who's on the call: Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analysis) and Jenny Dell
* (sideline reports).
* Who wins: Indiana, 35-10. Michigan has won 27 of their last 28 against the Hoosiers, with the only loss coming in the 2020 COVID season. Probably don't need to tell Indiana coach Curt Cignetti
* Who's on the call: Jeff Levering (play-by-play), Jake Butt (analysis) and Brooke Fletcher
* (sideline reports).
* Who wins: Oregon, 38-14. The focus on the Ducks' offense almost always leans toward their passing game. But Oregon running back Jordan James
* has put together a solid season with 159 carries for 917 yards and nine touchdowns.
* Who's on the call: Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich
* The Hawkeyes have scored at least 40 points in three of their last four games. No, that's not a typo. They've also won all three, so hit that mark against UCLA and it's another win in the books.
* Who's on the call: Jac Collinsworth (play-by-play), Michael Robinson (analysis) and Caroline Pineda
* (sideline reports).
* Who wins: Minnesota, 24-13. No word yet if Rutgers will try and trade Athan Kaliakmanis
* back to the Gophers. The former Minnesota quarterback has not been an overwhelming success in the Garden State.
* Who's on the call: Gus Johnson (play-by-play), Joel Klatt (analysis) and Jenny Taft
* Purdue's long, slow, dispiriting march to 1-11 continues Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. The question isn't if the Buckeyes will win. It's by how much (and will probably be a lot).
* Who's on the call: Paul Burmeister (play-by-play), Colt McCoy (analysis) and Zora Stephenson
* It's like the Nittany Lions knew their "White Out" game against Washington was going to wind up on Peacock. So they went for "White Out energy" against Illinois and basically a "White Out" last week against Ohio State.
Illinois MVP Gabe Jacas
It's official. Luke Altmyer has managed to played himself out of the top spot among the Illini. For now. The Illinois quarterback is still a primary reason the team is 6-3 and bowl eligible, but his performance the past three games -- 53.5 percent completion rate, as many interceptions as touchdowns and continued fumble issues -- can't be ignored with the Illini going 1-2 as a team during that stretch. In his place rises Gabe Jacas. The junior outside linebacker leads the Big Ten with three forced fumbles, is tied for third with 61/2 sacks and ranks in the top 20 with 52 tackles.
Big Ten MVP Kaleb Johnson
Not picking the quarterback from the only unbeaten team in the conference that also doubles as the No. 1 team in the country is a choice. But it's one that's being made. Oregon's Dillon Gabriel is having a great season and is a leading Heisman Trophy contender at the start of November, but he's the beneficiary, in no small part, of the sheer number of athletes the Ducks' offense can put on the field. Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson has the Hawkeyes' offensive line to rely on, but his 170 carries for 1,279 yards and 19 touchdowns is a stat line that can't be ignored.
Bowl game projections Three games left for Illini to impress
Losing to Minnesota has altered Illinois' bowl prospects. A third loss for the Illini plus one of Indiana or Penn State probably being left out of the College Football Playoff -- four Big Ten teams seems like a stretch -- means the Hoosiers or Nittany Lions probably nab the Citrus Bowl invite. The final three games of the regular season will still play a role, but Illinois landing in one of the Music City, ReliaQuest or Duke's Mayo bowls seems likely. The first two wouldn't interfere with Illinois basketball resuming Big Ten play in the Pacific Northwest, so that might be the preference of some fans (and, perhaps, one beat writer).