Oregon secures the No. 1 AP Top 25 ranking after dominating No. 20 Illinois with a score of 38-9.

Matchup Preview: No. 20 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon

This Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS, No. 20 Illinois (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) will face off against the top-ranked Oregon Ducks (7-0, 4-0). The odds from BetMGM have Oregon favored by 21.5 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series History: Oregon currently leads the all-time series 2-1.

 

What’s at Stake:

 

Oregon holds the No. 1 spot in the latest AP Top 25 for the first time since 2012, remaining one of only ten undefeated teams in the nation. The Ducks are coming off an impressive 35-0 shutout win against Purdue, their first road shutout since 1992. Meanwhile, Illinois is riding high after a 21-7 victory over then-No. 24 Michigan, marking their first ranked-vs.-ranked home win since 1991. This matchup will be Illinois’ first encounter with a top-ranked team since their historic win at Ohio State in 2007, a season that took them to the Rose Bowl.

 

 

 

 

 

Key Matchup:

Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer boasts 15 touchdown passes and only one interception this season, giving him the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the Power Four. With a completion rate of 65.9%, he could be crucial for Illinois’ success. Oregon’s defense has been tough, allowing just four passing touchdowns and an average of 175.6 passing yards per game, ranking 15th nationally in total defense.

 

 

 

 

Players to Watch:

Illinois:

Linebacker Gabe Jacas had a standout performance against Michigan with 13 tackles (6 solo), 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He’s tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 5.5 sacks this season and has a total of 42 tackles, including 7.5 for loss.

Oregon:

Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has re-entered the Heisman conversation, leading the nation with a remarkable 77.0 completion percentage. Averaging 297.2 passing yards per game, he has thrown 15 touchdown passes and added four rushing scores.

 

Facts & Figures:

– Oregon has won 12 consecutive home games, going 7-0 at Autzen Stadium last season.

 

– This will be Illinois’ first regular-season trip to a West Coast state since 2014, when they visited Washington.

 

– Illinois has recorded three wins over AP Top 25 teams this season, the third time in program history they’ve achieved this. They currently hold a 3-1 record against ranked teams.

 

– Oregon’s Tez Johnson leads the team with 536 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

 

 

– Illinois has been ranked for six consecutive weeks, their longest stretch since 2007.

 

 

– Gabriel has thrown for 140 career passing touchdowns and needs just three more to surpass Kellen Moore for second place on the NCAA’s all-time list.