The No. 17 Illinois Fighting Illini can remain alone in first place in the Big Ten West with a win or fall into a three-way tie with Nebraska and Purdue with a loss when they visit the struggling Cornhuskers Saturday afternoon. 

Illinois has won five straight games and six of their first seven for the first time since the 2001 Sugar Bowl team. Nebraska is looking to go 3-2 under interim head coach Mickey Joseph and head into November in contention for the division title.

The Illini lead the nation in pass efficiency defense, having intercepted 12 passes and allowed only two touchdowns through the air. Nebraska QB Casey Thompson’s interception rate of 3.83% (8 on 209 attempts) is worse among Big Ten quarterbacks who have started every game, and the 19 sacks he’s taken is third most in the league.

Illinois RB Chase Brown leads the nation with 1,059 yards, is second in rushes of at least 10 yards (35), third in all-purpose yards (1,166) and fourth in yards after contact (621). His 29.6 scrimmage touches per game lead the nation.

Nebraska WR Trey Palmer is fourth in the nation with 111.6 receiving yards per game after setting a school record with 237 against Purdue on Oct. 15. His speed will challenge Illinois’ DBs.

Bret Bielema’s 11-8 start as Illinois’ coach is the best since John Mackovic was 12-6-1 over the 1988-89 seasons.

Game time is 2:30 pm local time.