Illinois football coach Tim Beckman still believes his team can win the two games it needs to get to a bowl game.

But on Monday Beckman also acknowledged the pressure building on him and his staff after Saturday's loss to Iowa.

If the Illini (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten) lose Saturday to Penn State, they will be assured of their third straight losing season under Beckman.

Athletic director Mike Thomas says Beckman's teams need to show steady improvement - though he hasn't specified exactly how that is measured.

Beckman says he believes his teams have shown improvement on and off the field. He notes the four wins so far are one more than at this point last season. And he says his teams have improved academically and had few off-field problems.