GameThread: Illinois at Penn State

We live in an age of hyperbole for hyperbole's sake, but I truly feel like today's game against Penn State may be the most important game of this 2013 football season. I say that not just because of its potential impact on the rest of this season, but for the impact it could have on 2014 as well.

We all know how the Michigan State game ended, and the familiar feeling we saw in this team. Today we find out if this team has lost its confidence or if it's going to keep fighting like it had been all season.

If it's the former the last month of the regular season could be a slow death march to yet another coaching change. If it's the latter, we may find ourselves fighting for a bowl game yet.

I know which one I'm rooting for, but at least if it's the other one this is the last game of the year before basketball season starts.

Illinois (3-4, 0-3) at Penn State (4-3, 1-2)

TV: ESPN (Pam Ward, Joey Galloway, Paul Carcaterra)
Line: Penn State -11
Over/Under: 55.5
Forecast: 51 degrees, partly cloudy, 10% chance of rain, 10mph winds

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