Chicago Colleges Report

Week 10 college football preview

November, 2, 2012

11/02/12

5:38

PM CT

By Scott Powers | ESPNChicago.com

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-6) at Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0)

When, where: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN
Radio: WIND-560 AM
Web: Watch ESPN

What you need to know: The Illini have four games left to notch a Big Ten win this season. Their chances are unlikely this week at Ohio State. The Buckeyes are still undefeated and are among the top 25 teams in the country in rushing yards and points. Illinois has struggled over the last month. The Illini have dropped their last five games and haven’t allowed less than 30 points since Sept. 15. Illinois coach Tim Beckman is familiar with Ohio State after facing the Buckeyes twice while at Toledo. Beckman’s Rockets lost to the Buckeyes 29-22 last season. Illinois last won at Ohio State in 2007.
Scott Powers' prediction: Ohio State 45, Illinois 20

Massachusetts Minutemen (0-8) at Northern Illinois Huskies (8-1)

When, where: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Ill.
TV: None
Radio: WSCR-670 AM
Web: NIUHuskies.com
NIU

What you need to know: Northern Illinois should have no trouble with Massachusetts, which is winless, leading up to the Huskies’ marquee game with Toledo on Nov.14. Toledo and Northern Illinois are both undefeated in the MAC West. The Huskies launched a Heisman Trophy campaign for junior quarterback Jordan Lynch this week. This could be a good week to pad Lynch’s stats. The Minutemen have allowed an average of 41.8 points this season.
Powers' prediction: Northern Illinois 52, Massachusetts 14

Scott Powers | email

Reporter

Scott Powers is a general reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.

Tags:

Illinois Fighting Illini, Northern Illinois Huskies, Football, Scott Powers, Northern Illinois, Illinois Fighting Illini

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Scott Powers

Powers is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997. He joined ESPNChicago in May 2009 and lives in Chicago.

Adam Rittenberg

Rittenberg joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four years at the Daily Herald, where he covered sports at Notre Dame, Northwestern, DePaul and several other colleges. He lives in Chicago and writes for the Big Ten blog.

Brian Bennett

Bennett joined ESPN.com in August 2008 after nine years at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., where he covered college sports and the University of Louisville beat. He lives in Louisville and writes for the Big Ten blog.

Matt Fortuna

Fortuna joined ESPN.com in 2011 after working for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where he covered college sports. He grew up in New York and is a Penn State graduate. Fortuna's Notre Dame blog is here.

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Chicago Colleges Report

Week 10 college football preview

Illinois Fighting Illini (2-6) at Ohio State Buckeyes (9-0)