Preview & Picks: Illinois at Michigan State
247Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Illinois football has struggled early in the season, currently holding a 2-3 record and having lost two close Big Ten games against Duke and Purdue, including a disappointing loss to Purdue that ended a 19-game conference losing streak for the Boilermakers.
- Despite the tough start, Illinois enters their upcoming road game against rebuilding Michigan State as a slight favorite and views the matchup as a crucial opportunity to rebound and avoid falling further down the Big Ten standings.
- Head coach Bret Bielema acknowledges the team's shortcomings but emphasizes the need to regroup and make the best of the current situation, drawing on his extensive coaching experience to motivate the team.
- Offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. stresses that the team cannot let past losses define them and must quickly improve to succeed on the road in a challenging conference environment.
- The game is set for Saturday, Oct. 10 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Mich., with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT, broadcast on FS1, and Illinois favored by 2.5 points.
