Overview
- The Blue Devils visit Gies Memorial Stadium on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET with the game airing on FS1 and sportsbooks listing Illinois as about a six-point favorite with an over/under near 51.5.
- Illinois opened 1-0 after Katin Houser completed 13 of 17 passes for 182 yards, three touchdowns and a rushing score in a 42-23 win over UAB while the team used a new 3-3-5 defense and moved Will Holmes to the line.
- Duke also enters 1-0 after a 17-3 win over Tulane in which Nate Sheppard rushed for 227 yards and two touchdowns and new starter Walker Eget completed roughly half his passes for about 131 yards with no touchdowns.
- The key tactical matchup is Illinois' front and its ability to slow Sheppard's power running while Duke looks to pressure Houser enough to force the passing game into heavier use.
- Context to watch: Illinois comes off a 45-19 win over Duke last season and has program momentum under Bret Bielema with Bobby Hauck installing the 3-3-5, while Duke is adjusting after losing Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate to transfers to Miami, a move that produced a reported legal settlement.