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ESPN’s FPI predicts outcome of Iowa-Illinois game
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The Iowa Hawkeyes still have a couple of games left to play and a few things that need to break right if they want to clinch a B1G West title. Beating Minnesota 27-22 in their Week 11 matchup was a necessary step to stay in contention for the divisional crown. Next, they’ll need to take care of business against Illinois.
Quarterback Alex Padilla has really stepped into his role the past 2 weeks; against the Gophers he went 11-of-24 with 206 yards passing and 2 touchdowns. The Hawkeyes were able to escape Kinnick Stadium with a win after they were out-gained 409-277 in total yards.
The only team standing in Iowa’s way of a B1G West title now is Wisconsin, who won the head-to-head game back in Week 9 by a score of 27-7.
The Hawkeyes need to keep winning. Even though the Fighting Illini lead the all-time series 38-36, ESPN’s FPI gives Iowa a 81.3% chance of victory.
The reason for that could be because the Hawkeyes are coming into the game with a 7-game winning streak against the Fighting Illini.
Since they lost to Wisconsin earlier in the year, Iowa needs to win out and hope that the Badgers lose between now and the end of the regular season to make it to the B1G Championship Game.
No. 17 Iowa (8-2, 5-2 Big Ten) and Illinois (4-6, 3-4 Big Ten) play Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on FS1.
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.