The Illini became bowl eligible in that 24-13 win over Nebraska, and Collin Dixon is the reason to watch them. He caught 2 more touchdowns, from 3 and 6 yards out, to reach 12 for the year, 2 past the program's single-season record. Illinois also used a trick play to set up the go-ahead score. This isn't a team scoring 40 every week. It wins close games by hanging around and finishing drives, and Dixon is who it looks for near the goal line.
The 2 teams have 2 common opponents this season, and the comparison is useful. Both beat Oregon. Illinois handled the Ducks 21-10 at home, while UCLA needed a 17-15 escape in Eugene. Both beat Michigan State too, but UCLA won its home game 28-10 and Illinois survived a 38-37 shootout on the road. Over the season the Bruins are clearly the better team. Against the best team either one has played, though, Illinois looked better.
Illinois' 4-game run began right after a 24-17 home loss to Purdue, and every win since has come against a Big Ten opponent. UCLA's defense, meanwhile, has given up 7, 10 and 0 points in its last 3 home games. Unless the Illini can protect against the deep shots, this projects as a low-scoring, physical game, and holding the Bruins under 20 might be the only way an Illinois offense that has topped 24 once in its last 5 keeps up.
The weather won't be a factor: the forecast calls for 74 degrees, partly cloudy, 4 mph of wind and a 9% chance of rain. UCLA is chasing a perfect regular season and a Playoff spot. Illinois has been playing like a team that's had enough of being a good story. The early board has the Bruins as double-digit favorites, so a one-score game in the 4th quarter would be a real upset of expectations.
