So we predicted the Illinois-Northwetsern game because why not!

Stephen Cohn: Illinois 42, Northwestern 0

Really? Okay, let’s try again.

Stephen Cohn: Illinois 42, Northwestern 3

There’s no way Pat Fitzgerald’s team can’t even get on the board tomorrow afternoon in Champaign. Justin Jackson definitely will run his team into the red zone, but a few bad passes by QB Clayton Thorson force the Wildcats to settle for a field goal. Cam Thomas and Jeff George Jr. go down again — both in the first quarter — and Cam Miller, the guy who ran for the nine-yard touchdown at the ‘Shoe last week, throws six touchdown passes to Malik Turner for an incredible senior day for the wideout.

(NOTE: We’ve really, really moved onto basketball season at this point. Just let me have this.)

Ian Gold: Illinois 13, Northwestern 38

The semi-merciful ending to a trying year, I expect Illinois to put up a decent fight early and maybe even find some Cam Thomas highlights for the marketing ticket commercials. But alas, Northwestern has rounded into the solid team they were expected to be and will pound Illinois into submission and capture the Lincoln Hat Trophy thing. This is more than likely the swan song for junior Wildcat quarterback Clayton Thorson and record setting senior tailback Justin Jackson — and it’s going to be a fitting send off.

Michael Berns: Illinois 24, Northwestern 21

Illinois wins its first conference game in well over a year thanks to a long, 50-yard, game-winning field goal as time expires. Wishful thinking? Perhaps.