Illinois @ Minnesota preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 25, 2014 ) Minnesota 24, Illinois 28

Illinois looks to become bowl eligible when it travels to Minneapolis for the first time since 2011 to face Minnesota on Saturday. The Fighting Illini have dropped four of their past five games, including a 28-3 setback to third-ranked Ohio State, and have been outscored 91-16 in their last three losses, but can still secure a post-season berth for the second straight year with a win in either of their last two contests.

"If they want to get to a bowl game then great, I don't talk about it but they do and I don't have a problem with that," Illinois interim head coach Bill Cubit told reporters. "I don't mind them talking about it as that's their goal." The Gophers are in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2011 following a 40-35 loss to fifth-ranked Iowa. Minnesota has lost four straight games - surrendering 40 or more points twice during that span - and hopes to keep its postseason dreams alive by avenging last year's 28-24 upset loss to the Fighting Illini. "We're judged on wins and losses and we haven't been able to find a win," Gophers head coach Tracy Claeys told reporters. "You just have to keep working hard and you'll be rewarded."

TV: Noon ET, ESPNews. LINE: Minnesota -4.5

ABOUT ILLINOIS (5-5, 2-4 Big Ten): Senior running back Josh Ferguson (2,441) needs 45 more yards to pass Howard Griffith (2,485) for 10th place on the school's all-time rushing list. Freshman wide receiver Desmond Cain is starting to hit his stride as he set career highs with 10 receptions and 102 yards in the loss to the Buckeyes, and has hauled in 16 passes for 176 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. Ke'Shawn Vaughn sat out the second half against Ohio State due to concussion-like symptoms but is expected to return to the lineup in time to face the Gophers.

ABOUT MINNESOTA (4-6, 1-5): Running back Shannon Brooks was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second time this season after rushing for 85 yards and accounting for two scores, including a 42-yard touchdown pass in the loss to the Hawkeyes. Mitch Leidner continued his second-half surge as he threw for 259 yards and a touchdown against Iowa to give him at least 250 yards passing in each of his last four games. Senior wide receiver KJ Maye had seven receptions for 106 yards to notch back-to-back 100-yard receiving games for the first time in his career

EXTRA POINTS

1. Minnesota has won 10 of the past 14 meetings with Illinois.

2. Leidner has thrown for 1,158 yards in his last four games.

3. The Fighting Illini are ranked second nationally with five blocked kicks.

PREDICTION: Minnesota 28, Illinois 21