GAME NOTES: The 18th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini have started 3-0 in Big Ten play for the first time since 1990, and they will attempt to score another league victory this weekend against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Last weekend, Illinois posted a thrilling 31-26 victory over then fifth-ranked Wisconsin, ending the nation's longest winning streak at 14 games. Two weeks ago, the Illini beat Penn State for their first win over a ranked opponent since 2001, and back-to- back triumphs over ranked foes suggests that this team is a legitimate Big Ten title contender. The lone loss thus far came against an outstanding Missouri team by six points on the road. As for Iowa, it has won 28 of its last 33 games at Kinnick Stadium dating back to the 2002 campaign. Unfortunately, the Hawkeyes are just 2-4 overall this season, including 0-3 against Big Ten opposition. The club is riding a four-game skid that includes a 27-7 loss to the same Penn State team that the Illini beat. Illinois holds a 37-28-2 series lead over Iowa, but the Hawkeyes have won the last four meetings.

Illinois has a true star at the tailback position in the person of junior Rashard Mendenhall. Last weekend against Wisconsin, Mendenhall ran for two touchdowns and caught a third. He finished with 160 rushing yards on only 19 carries and 33 receiving yards on four catches. Isiah "Juice" Williams, the team's quarterback, completed 12-of-19 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. He also ran for 92 yards, proof of his versatility. Illinois is averaging 30.2 ppg this season and 412.5 ypg of total offense. Of the 21 offensive touchdowns that the team has scored, 15 have come on the ground. The Illini lean heavily on the ground attack, which accounts for 261.2 ypg and 5.7 ypc. Mendenhall deserves some Heisman hype, as he has rushed for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.8 ypc. As for Williams, he has been simply adequate as a passer while presenting a threat as a runner.

The Illini limited Wisconsin to six points in the first half of last weekend's showdown. That strong early effort from the defense helped spark confidence in the team's offense and led to an early lead. Although the Badgers did get it going offensively in the second half, Illinois did enough to earn the victory. Sure, the Illini have to be a bit concerned by the fact that they yielded 519 total yards, but two interceptions proved to be key to the victory. Illinois is yielding 20.0 ppg and 368.3 total ypg. The run defense has been strong, as the club is surrendering just 3.0 rushing ypc and 100.7 ypg on the ground. Of the 12 touchdowns that the Illini have given up to opposing offenses, only three have been rushing scores.

With the exception of one productive drive that ended in a fourth-quarter touchdown, the Iowa offense played poorly against Penn State last weekend. The Hawkeyes finished with eight first downs and 194 total yards in the contest. They failed miserably in their effort to establish the run, finishing with 48 rushing yards on 28 attempts. Clearly, the five sacks that they surrendered didn't help the statistics much. Iowa is scoring 17.3 ppg this season to go along with 312.3 total ypg. Jake Christensen has thrown 10 touchdowns against two interceptions, but he is completing a lackluster 54.2 percent of his passes while throwing for fewer than 200 ypg. Albert Young is a talented tailback who hasn't lived up to his preseason hype thus far.

Don't expect Illinois to march up and down the field without resistance this weekend. Iowa has generated 13 turnovers, including eight interceptions, and the defensive unit has also posted 14 sacks. The Hawkeyes have blocked two field goal attempts, registered 34 tackles for loss and surrendered only 10 touchdowns through six games. Iowa ranks 14th in the nation in scoring defense (16.7), 19th in total defense (304.3) and 24th in pass defense (190.5). Iowa did not play great by any means last weekend, as Penn State was able to total 26 first downs and 489 total yards. Considering that the Hawkeyes yielded over 200 yards both on the ground and through the air, there is plenty of room for improvement. Still, a pair of interceptions kept the score down.

Keep an eye on Rashard Mendenhall, as he is a big-time NFL prospect. The Illini are playing with a wealth of confidence, but expect the Hawkeyes to pull an upset.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Iowa 24, Illinois 20