It’s hard to say that this season is on the brink of collapse in Week 5, but it certainly feels like a turning point must be reached sooner rather than later if the Illini are going to reach five or six wins. This road game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who the Illini decisively defeated in 2018, represents the best chance for a victory until the Nov. 2 home matchup with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
I hesitate to consider this game a “must-win,” but the road ahead looks considerably more difficult if the Illini return from Minneapolis with a loss this weekend.