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Four listed as out for Illinois, including star DE, LB ahead of Michigan State matchup
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Illinois-Michigan State may not be playing this afternoon with College Football Playoff implications in mind, but postseason aspirations are present.
Illinois is 5-4 and Michigan State is 4-4 entering the contest. The Spartans are hosting the Fighting Illini for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. The game will be televised on FS1.
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Ahead of the matchup, Illinois released its status report and four players were listed as out:
Jake Hansen, Oluwole Betiku, Dominic Stampley and Ricky Smalling are all OUT today. Did not travel. More on Hansen's injury. Look for Khalan Tolson or Shammond Cooper to get a bigger role for the #Illini vs. MSUhttps://t.co/d4XShmupS6
— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) November 9, 2019
Jake Hansen is a linebacker who has totaled 72 tackles this season and has forced seven fumbles. Oluwole Betiku, a defensive end, is a former 5-star recruit who has registered eight sacks.
“All those guys hopefully will be ready to go next week, but they won’t play today,” Illini head coach Lovie Smith said on the Illini Radio Network pregame radio show.
Illinois will surely miss these two on the defensive side of the ball. Michigan State has struggled offensively as of late and not having to go against Hansen and Betiku may make life a bit easier.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.