Oct 8, 2022; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois fighting Illini players celebrate after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Memorial Stadium. Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

A win over Minnesota sets up Illinois as Big Ten West's best

By Brandon Cavanaugh | Last updated 10/13/22

For the first time since 2011, Illinois (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) is a Top 25 college football team. With a win against conference foe Minnesota (4-1, 1-1), the Big Ten West is there for the taking.

The Illini are bolstered by a defense that grinds the opposition to dust. Bret Bielema's team has allowed a mere eight points a game.

Competition hasn’t been incredibly fierce, with New Mexico State, Western Illinois and hapless Colorado among Illinois’ wins.

In a win over Wisconsin, 2021 second-team All-Big Ten Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen managed two yards on eight carries against the Illini. The next week, Illinois terrorized Iowa's uninspired offense in winning a 9-6 slugfest.

Tarique Barnes coming through unblocked. pic.twitter.com/uYuAz5u4Pm
— Illinois Football Focus (@IlliniFB) October 9, 2022

Now, PJ Fleck's team gets its opportunity to bust through this violent, unyielding force. Last week provided a reality check for Minnesota as quarterback Tanner Morgan was intercepted three times in a 20-10 loss to Purdue (4-2, 2-1)

If Illinois can beat the Golden Gophers, its remaining opponents boast a combined record of 16-14, six of which belong to their biggest remaining obstacle, Michigan. The Illini already hold a tiebreaker over Wisconsin, as Bielema's 34-10 victory against his former team led to the dismissal of Paul Chryst.

Teams must earn every point against the Illini. If Minnesota can’t light up the scoreboard, there’s little hope any of their division brethren can do much better.

More must-reads: