number 1 Oregon Ducks They are beyond the midway point of their 2024 schedule and will host No. 20 Illinois in a matinee matchup at Autzen Stadium on Saturday.

Coach Bret Bielema’s squad has been one of the positive surprises in the Big Ten this season, bringing veteran experience on both sides of the ball and several similarities to this Oregon team. Coming off a strong performance against Michigan, Illinois looks to capture the No. 1 seed and give itself a shot in the Big Ten championship game.

No. 1 Oregon (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) and No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1).

When: Saturday, October 26

Time: 12:30 PT

Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene

Coaches: Dan Lanning, third year (29-5) vs. Bret Bielema, 4th year at Illinois (24-20 overall, 121-78 between Wisconsin, Arkansas and Illinois)

Last line: Oregon up to 21.5 (odds via FanDuel)

television channel: GIS

Transfer: Watch this match live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or via DirecTV Broadcast (free trial). If you already have a cable provider, use your login information Watch this match on cbssports.com.

Oregon uniform combination: Yellow “Heroes” jerseys, black pants, black helmets.

What’s at stake: This is expected to be the final seeding game on Oregon’s regular-season schedule, perhaps presenting the biggest test for the Ducks leading up to a potential trip to Indianapolis. With four winnable games remaining on the schedule following a visit to Eugene, the Ducks’ upset at Illinois would put them in the conference title game.

Oregon offense and Illinois defense

The Ducks saw what happened in Illinois’ game against Purdue two weeks ago, and they aim to repeat that. If the Boilermakers, whom Oregon defeated 35-0, were able to score 49 points on the Illinois defense, why couldn’t the high-powered Ducks do the same?

Illinois ranks 70th in the country in rushing defense and 41st in passing yards allowed. He’s in the middle or lower of the pack in most defensive statistics, but with 19 sacks on the season, including 5.5 by linebacker Gabe Jacas, it’s not due to a lack of talent or pressure. And this Illinois team is physical. Illinois, like Oregon, will look to wreak havoc in the backfield with a formidable front seven. It will be crucial for Oregon’s offensive line to continue protecting Dillon Gabriel.

Oregon defense and Illinois offense

Illinois’ offense also has similarities to Oregon’s. senior point guard Luke Altmyer He has plenty of playmakers available to him and is equally effective as Gabriel. He completed 66% of his passes for 15 touchdowns and just one interception.

Oregon’s defense won’t have much to worry about with a running game that ranks 81st in the country, but success on the ground could open up the game for Illinois and Altmyer. The Ducks will be more interested in containing wide receivers Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin. Enter the Oregon secondary, led by Jabbar Muhammad, who will play a key role in getting off the field on third down.

Match to watch: Oregon’s secondary and Illinois’ wide receivers

What Dan Lanning said: “Get the opportunity to play with a really good team. Coach Bielema has done an incredible job at Illinois. He’s a guy I’ve followed throughout my career, even going back to his days as a young defensive backs coach at Iowa, Kansas State and Wisconsin. So it’s really impressive what he’s been able to do in Illinois. I always enjoyed watching their teams have a clear identity. They don’t beat themselves. They play really hard. They are physical. “I think all of that comes out in this team as well.”

Key statistics: Oregon’s defense ranks 13th in the nation in allowing 16.6 points per game.

Guess: Oregon 34, Illinois 20

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— ryan clarke covers Oregon Ducks and the Big Ten Conference. Listen Ducks Hidden Subscribe to the podcast or Ducks Roundup newsletter.