Charleston Southern @ Illinois preview

Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase expects to play when Illinois hosts Charleston Southern of the FCS on Saturday. Scheelhaase, who missed the Fighting Illini's 45-14 loss at Arizona State with a sprained left ankle, split practice reps this week. He was injured during the third quarter of Illinois' 24-7 victory over Western Michigan on Sept. 1 and was in uniform last week, but did not play. Illinois probably won't need Scheelhaase against the Buccaneers, who were 0-11 last season and have lost 14 straight games, including two this season by a combined 80-24. With Louisiana Tech and Penn State next on the schedule, the Fighting Illini have a chance to be 4-1 when they enter the teeth of their Big Ten schedule.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, BTN2Go. LINE: None

ABOUT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN (0-2): The Buccaneers have one win in their last 21 games, a 42-39 victory over Presbyterian in the penultimate game of 2011. Charleston Southern lost to Jacksonville 31-10 last week following a 49-14 loss at the Citadel and has been outscored 63-10 in the second half. The Buccaneers are allowing 288.5 rushing yards per game, another reason Illinois might be wise to keep Scheelhaase on the sideline. Junior quarterback Malcolm Dixon, Charleston Southern's top rusher with 101 yards, is averaging only 3.1 per carry. Junior Derek Hatcher relieved Dixon last week and was 12-of-17 passing for 138 yards and a touchdown. Dixon is 17-for-37 for 229 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions this season.

ABOUT ILLINOIS (1-1): Without Scheelhaase, the Fighting Illini offense struggled and is averaging only 290 yards per game, 110th among 120 FBS teams and 117th in passing (117.0). But the running game racked up 231 yards against Arizona State, led by redshirt freshman Josh Ferguson's 101. Illinois, which is sixth in the country in time of possession (35:09), should be able to wear down a Buccaneers' defense which appears incapable of stopping the run. Junior linebacker Jonathan Brown, who led the Fighting Illini with 108 tackles last season, has 15 in 2012, including three for loss. Brown led the Big Ten in tackles for loss with 14.5 last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Illinois and Charleston Southern have never met. The Fighting Illini, who have never played a Big South Conference team, are 11-0 all-time against FCS opponents with an average victory margin of 29 points.

2. Scheelhaase, who had started 27 straight games prior to last week, is second on the all-time Illinois list in career passing efficiency to Tony Eason (133.8, 132.5).

3. After throwing four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first six career games, Scheelhaase has 27 and 10 in his last 21.

PREDICTION: Illinois 56, Charleston Southern 7