Oregon and Illinois face off as both seek to revive season hopes
Mid-season matchups see unranked Oregon and 3-3 Illinois relying on backup quarterbacks in a game that could affect each team's postseason prospects.
Oregon and Illinois will meet Saturday at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign with both programs looking to improve their standing after uneven starts to the season. The Ducks, who entered the year ranked No. 2 in the preseason AP poll, are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten but have slipped out of the rankings after losses to Oklahoma State, UCLA, Boise State and Nebraska. Illinois, coming off two consecutive 19-win seasons and aiming for a third straight bowl appearance, sits at 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play, having fallen to Purdue and narrowly defeated Michigan State in overtime.
Both teams will start backup quarterbacks. Oregon plans to start Dylan Raiola, a former Nebraska starter with 23 Big Ten starts, after rotating through Raiola and Brock Thomas following star running back Dante Moore’s placement in concussion protocol. Illinois will give freshman Michael Clayton II his first start while starting quarterback Katin Houser recovers from a hand injury; Clayton previously threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime against Michigan State.
The contest carries postseason implications. A win could keep Oregon’s College Football Playoff chances alive, while Illinois hopes to preserve its bowl eligibility. The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.