---

Penn State (6-2) bounced back from the Ohio State loss to slip by Maryland last week, while Illinois (4-3) couldn’t get anything going against Wisconsin. Call this a battle to help determine the overall Big Ten pecking order. Check out the Illinois vs. Penn State prediction and game preview.

Illinois vs. Penn State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Oct. 31
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA

Network: ESPN2

Follow, Contact @PeteFiutak  

Why You Need To Care

Illinois has played well despite all the preseason drama, getting off to a strong 4-1 start before running into the stars of the West in Iowa and Wisconsin. Now it has to go on the road for four of the final five games as it tries to find a way to come up with two more wins to become bowl eligible. With a decent defense and a solid passing game, this is a better team than anyone thought it could be after Tim Beckman was canned in the preseason. Beating Penn State on the road wouldn’t make the season, but it would come close.

The Nittany Lions are playing with house money. They’re still in the Big Ten title hunt, needing to win out and hoping for Ohio State to lose to Michigan State and Michigan, but for a team with a middling offense and inconsistent D, each win keeps adding on to a good season. With a brutal finishing kick, though – at Northwestern, Michigan and at Michigan State – getting a win over Illinois is a must to avoid a possible fall off the map.

Why Illinois Will Win

Christian Hackenberg might have a rough day. Wisconsin was able to throw a curveball last week when Bart Houston came in for an injured Joel Stave, and he came up with a nice performance, but for the most part the Illini secondary has been terrific. The biggest key to the season has been the third down defense, allowing teams to convert just 27% of the time. Meanwhile, Penn State, despite having a supposed pro quarterback under center, is converting just 28% of its chances including a 1-of-11 day against the Buckeyes two weeks ago.

Why Penn State Will Win

Penn State’s defensive problem? Running quarterbacks. Illinois QB Wes Lunt doesn’t run, and he doesn’t get much help from the backs. Either the Illini are throwing the ball well, or the offense doesn’t move. Lunt has been terrific at times with over 200 yards in every game but the North Carolina loss, but the secondary has been one of Penn State’s biggest strengths. The pass D will give up yards from time to time, but it got by Maryland last week because of three picks, just like it stopped Rutgers with two interceptions. Penn State will allow the midrange throws, but there’s not much of anything happening after the grab.

Player Who Matters

6-1, 208-pound Chris Godwin had a nice freshman regular season, and then he blew up in the bowl win over Boston College with seven catches for 140 yards and a score. This year he’s been a decent, steady target, but over the first six games he was only good for around five catches per game while coming up with one score. Over the last two weeks, though, he’s turned into a devastating playmaker with seven catches against Ohio State and Maryland for 238 yards and a score, finally opening things up a bit for the Nittany Lion passing game.

What’s Going To Happen?

Be stunned if this isn’t a bit of a defensive slugfest. Neither team will do much on the ground, but Penn State grind out a tough win on just enough defensive stops in the fourth quarter to hang on. Don’t expect this to win any beauty contests.

Illinois vs. Penn State Prediction

Final Score: Penn State 17, Illinois 14, Line: Penn State -4.5, o/u: 43

Must See Rating: 5: Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church – 1: The Peanuts Movie … 3