GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Illinois has scored a total of 26 points in its past three meetings against Wisconsin, which speaks to the physical advantages the Badgers have had up front. Illinois, under first-year coordinator Rod Smith, ranks 22nd nationally with 228.8 rushing yards per game, and getting close to that total would go a long way to being able to dictate the way the game goes. “We are who we are,” Smith said. “I think you always want to (establish the run) if you can no matter who you play … how you match up with certain teams dictates what you can and can’t do.”
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Del’Shawn Phillips, a senior who arrived at Illinois last season from junior college, is the team’s only senior on defense. He has a team-high 50 tackles and is tied for the team lead with three interceptions.
ROSTER REPORT:
–Senior RG Nick Allegretti has started 30 consecutive games.
–DT Lere Oladipo has not played in the past two games because of an undisclosed injury.
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