Michigan State and Illinois have had a bye week to think about what they’ve done, and what they need to do better to create a November to remember.
Illinois (6-3, 3-3 Big Ten) and Michigan State (4-5, 2-4) carry two-game losing streaks into the home finale for the Fighting Illini on Saturday afternoon in Champaign.
Both teams also have soft enough schedules to suggest a three-game winning streak is feasible. But a slide isn’t out of the question for either team.
“I am excited to be the head coach of a team that has put themselves in a (good) position,” said Illinois coach Bret Bielema. “You always remember the ones in November. Obviously, we started off with a bump in the road against Minnesota (two weeks ago).”
“You can only win one at a time,” said Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith. “We’ve got a lot to play for these last three games. I know our guys understand that it’s not easy to win, but we have an opportunity in front of us to win more than we lose for the entirety of this season.”
While Illinois held a “limited” practice Sunday, Michigan State went full pads to set the tone.
“I thought it was really spirited,” Smith said. “Good practice.”
Better yet for the Spartans, starting quarterback Aidan Chiles took part in the practice. His status had not been clarified since being escorted to the locker room with a forearm injury during the third quarter of the Spartans’ 47-10 loss vs. Indiana on Nov. 2.
“Aidan was able to go (Sunday),” Smith said. “So we feel pretty confident on him.”
Chiles doesn’t have the best numbers (62 percent completion rate, 1,850 yards, eight touchdowns, 11 interceptions), but his status as a two-way threat gives Michigan State the best chance to succeed against an Illinois defense that surrendered 49 points to Purdue when multi-threat backup Ryan Browne had to play for the Boilermakers.
The Illinois defense will be without leading tackler Dylan Rosiek. The junior linebacker suffered a season-ending leg fracture in the Nov. 2 home loss to Minnesota.
The Illini also will miss defensive back Miles Scott in the first half. He is serving the rest of his penalty for a fourth-quarter targeting call versus the Gophers.
