These Iowa totals have gotten ridiculous. I understand the Hawkeyes have still gone Under in their last five games, but this low total doesn't fully account for Illinois being the opponent and Iowa suffering a key defensive injury.

Look, I respect Iowa's defense. The Hawkeyes have the third-best scoring defense in the nation surrendering just 12.3 points.

Illinois, however, has some speedy skill position weapons and gets back starting QB Luke Altmyer. If Altmyer struggles, the Illini can turn to senior backup John Paddock. He filled in for Altmyer last week and threw for 507 yards in a 48-45 overtime victory against Indiana earning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors.

The Illini have averaged 29.2 points in regulation during their last four games. They've played some respectable defenses, too, during this span in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Note that the Hawkeyes aren't going to have star cornerback Cooper DeJean, who suffered a serious leg injury in practice this week. DeJean could be Iowa's best player.

I'm not a fan of Iowa QB Deacon Hill. But he has gained plenty of experience having started the last six games. Illinois does not represent a high bar defensively. The Illini rank 101st in scoring defense giving up nearly 30 points a game.