It wasn't too long ago that a chance at an eight-win season would have been celebrated at Illinois Fighting Illini.

Now, as the Fighting Illini try to do just that Saturday night when they host the Northwestern Wildcats in Champaign, Ill., the overall body of work will be regarded as disappointing. And with some cause.

Illinois (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten) has shown surprisingly little pushback in the four losses, which have come by a total of 105 points. That includes last week's 27-10 defeat at Wisconsin, which outrushed the Illini 209-50 and logged five sacks of quarterback Luke Altmyer.

Illini coach Bret Bielema understands the angst over potential that was never realized with three losses in the last five games, but he emphasizes where the program is now compared to where it was before he took over.

Altmyer has completed 68.1% of his 317 passes for 2,675 yards with 21 touchdowns and only five interceptions despite the offensive line's difficulties with protecting him.

Meanwhile, Northwestern (6-5, 4-4) sealed bowl eligibility last week by edging Minnesota 38-35 as Jack Olsen converted a 33-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining. Preston Stone threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-30 passing.

Stone was perfect in the second half, completing all 15 of his passes for 174 yards in a performance that earned him a co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honor. It was the first time a Wildcat had won the award in more than two years.

This will be the 119th meeting between the in-state rivals, with Illinois holding a 58-55-5 edge.

Game time is 6:30 pm on Saturday.