The 21st-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini and Notre Dame Fighting Irish are both back in action this weekend. The Illini, who are coming off a 17-7 setback to Ohio State last weekend to dip to 6-and-1 overall and 2-and-1 in Big Ten play, square off against Purdue in West Lafayette on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Irish host the USC Trojans on Saturday evening in South Bend. ND had a bye last week. They have won four straight games after dropping two in-a-row to start the season. Notre Dame beat Air Force, 59-33, in its last contest on October 8th to improve to 4-and-2.
In other local action, the Northwestern Wildcats host Penn State on Saturday evening. The 'Cats lost to Iowa, 41-31, last weekend to fall to 2-and-4 overall and 0-and-3 in conference play.