![\"Kyle](\"http:\/\/www.sportscapping.com\/new\/cache\/capper_photos\/366_service_photo.jpg\" "\\"Kyle")
<\/a>Ron Zook\u2019s team is off to a nice 4-0 start, and they\u2019ll look to continue that success when Big Ten action starts this weekend.<\/p>\n
**BETONLINE – THE BEST SPORTSBOOK FOR NCAA FOOTBALL BETTING! \u2013 CLICK HERE NOW + BET TODAY!**<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\nNorthwestern vs. Illinois<\/strong>
\nMemorial Stadium<\/strong>
\nSaturday October 1, 12:00 PM EST<\/strong>
\nNCAA Football Odds from 5Dimes<\/strong>
\nMoneyline: <\/strong>Illinois (-310) Northwestern (+255)
\nCollege Football Spread: <\/strong>Illinois -8 (-110) Northwestern +8 (-110)
\nOver\/Under: <\/strong>50<\/p>\nPersa is expected to play some in this one, and that should help the Wildcats a lot. Those who don\u2019t follow the Big Ten closely probably don\u2019t realize how big of a difference he makes for this team. Expect Kain Colter to get some playing time under center in this one as well, especially when Northwestern looks to run the football. The Wildcats enter this contest at 3-1, but they lost a tough one 21-14 at Army in their last game. Jeremy Ebert is a very talented running back who can put up some big numbers, but he badly needs a healthy Dan Persa. The weakness of this offense continues to be the fact that they don\u2019t have a go to guy at the tailback spot.<\/p>\n
Northwestern\u2019s defense really held them back at the end of last year, and they have been a bit of a problem spot so far this season. The Wildcats defense is giving up 402 yards per game so far this season. Pat Fitzgerald\u2019s defense is short-handed right now, but they always play hard. Can Northwestern stop the run better than they did last season against Illinois?<\/p>\n
Ron Zook seems to always be on the hot seat, and before this year his name was mentioned as a coach that needed a good season once again. The Fighting Illini are definitely off to a great start. Can they keep it going when they head into conference play?<\/p>\n
Nathan Scheelhaase is only a sophomore, but he has really progressed quite a bit as a quarterback. He is a dual-threat signal caller who almost always ran first last season, but he seems to be gaining confidence in the passing game. A.J. Jenkins is a legitimate superstar for the Fighting Illini. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n
Jenkins has already racked up 28 catches in the team\u2019s first four games. The issue for Illinois is finding a second receiver that can help keep the defense honest. Illinois certainly misses Mikel LeShoure in the running game, but Jason Ford is a solid runner. Illinois lost its best two defensive players in Martez Wilson and Cory Liuget, but the defense has been playing pretty well this year. They are currently in the top half of the Big Ten in total defense, but that will be tested by a talented Northwestern offense this week.<\/p>\n
With Persa coming back into the lineup, I expect Northwestern\u2019s offense to get a big boost this week. Look for this one to be close to the end.<\/p>\n
\nMemorial Stadium<\/strong>
\nSaturday October 1, 12:00 PM EST<\/strong>
\nNCAA Football Odds from 5Dimes<\/strong>
\nMoneyline: <\/strong>Illinois (-310) Northwestern (+255)
\nCollege Football Spread: <\/strong>Illinois -8 (-110) Northwestern +8 (-110)
\nOver\/Under: <\/strong>50<\/p>\n
Persa is expected to play some in this one, and that should help the Wildcats a lot. Those who don\u2019t follow the Big Ten closely probably don\u2019t realize how big of a difference he makes for this team. Expect Kain Colter to get some playing time under center in this one as well, especially when Northwestern looks to run the football. The Wildcats enter this contest at 3-1, but they lost a tough one 21-14 at Army in their last game. Jeremy Ebert is a very talented running back who can put up some big numbers, but he badly needs a healthy Dan Persa. The weakness of this offense continues to be the fact that they don\u2019t have a go to guy at the tailback spot.<\/p>\n
Northwestern\u2019s defense really held them back at the end of last year, and they have been a bit of a problem spot so far this season. The Wildcats defense is giving up 402 yards per game so far this season. Pat Fitzgerald\u2019s defense is short-handed right now, but they always play hard. Can Northwestern stop the run better than they did last season against Illinois?<\/p>\n
Ron Zook seems to always be on the hot seat, and before this year his name was mentioned as a coach that needed a good season once again. The Fighting Illini are definitely off to a great start. Can they keep it going when they head into conference play?<\/p>\n
Nathan Scheelhaase is only a sophomore, but he has really progressed quite a bit as a quarterback. He is a dual-threat signal caller who almost always ran first last season, but he seems to be gaining confidence in the passing game. A.J. Jenkins is a legitimate superstar for the Fighting Illini. [soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n
Jenkins has already racked up 28 catches in the team\u2019s first four games. The issue for Illinois is finding a second receiver that can help keep the defense honest. Illinois certainly misses Mikel LeShoure in the running game, but Jason Ford is a solid runner. Illinois lost its best two defensive players in Martez Wilson and Cory Liuget, but the defense has been playing pretty well this year. They are currently in the top half of the Big Ten in total defense, but that will be tested by a talented Northwestern offense this week.<\/p>\n
With Persa coming back into the lineup, I expect Northwestern\u2019s offense to get a big boost this week. Look for this one to be close to the end.<\/p>\n