Getty CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 31: Chase Brown #2 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers in the third quarter at Memorial Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Champaign, Illinois. Purdue defeated Illinois 31-24. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Two teams struggling in the Big Ten will strive to get back on track when Northwestern meet Illinois at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Fighting Illini enter the game at 4-7, 3-5 after falling to Iowa by 10 points last time out. Northwestern have hardly fared better, and head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s 3-8, 1-7 team was recently brushed aside by Purdue.
Neither team has many explosive playmakers in the passing game, while both defenses struggle to contain yards on the ground. It means whoever establishes the run first and keep turnovers to a minimum should survive what’s likely to be a low-scoring affair.
The game (3:30 p.m. ET start time) will be televised on Big Ten Network. But if you don’t have cable, here are some different ways you can watch a live stream of Northwestern vs Illinois online:
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FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of Big Ten Network, the BTN alternates (an overflow channel for when multiple games on BTN overlap) and 100-plus other live TV channels on FuboTV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch Northwestern vs Illinois live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
You can also watch live via FoxSports.com or the Fox Sports app. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your FuboTV credentials to log in and watch.
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of Big Ten Network and 50-plus other live TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Blue + Sports Extra” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with BTN, and you can get your first month for just $21:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch Northwestern vs Illinois live on the Sling TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Sling TV website.
You can also watch live via FoxSports.com or the Fox Sports app. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your Sling credentials to log in and watch.
Vidgo
You can watch a live stream of Big Ten Network and 90+ other TV channels on Vidgo, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch Northwestern vs Illinois live on the Vidgo app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad, or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Vidgo website.
You can also watch live via FoxSports.com or the Fox Sports app. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your Vidgo credentials to log in and watch.
Hulu With Live TV
You can watch a live stream of Big Ten Network and 65+ other TV channels via Hulu With Live TV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch Northwestern vs Illinois live on the Hulu app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Hulu website.
You can also watch live via FoxSports.com or the Fox Sports app. You’ll need to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but if you don’t have that, you can use your Hulu credentials to log in and watch.
Northwestern vs Illinois Football 2021 Preview
Northwestern has been held to 14 points or less in each of the last five games, and the Wildcats don’t figure to become any more prolific against Illinois. Fitzgerald’s offense is suspect in multiple areas, but especially under center, where quarterbacks Andrew Marty and Ryan Hilinski continue to struggle. They combined for a mere 18 completions for just 159 yards against the Boilermakers.
It’ll be safer for Northwestern to keep the ball in the hands of running back Evan Hull. He’s workmanlike, but Hull is still averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry as a senior. The 5’11”, 210-pounder is also able to grind out yards between the tackles. It’s a quality that should serve Hull well against a porous Illinois run defense.
Coordinator Ryan Walters is overseeing a unit that’s allowing opposing running backs to gain four yards per carry. Naturally, Walters is suitably concerned about Hull’s ability to break this game open: “He’s a lot faster than you think he is. There are a couple plays on tape in that Michigan game where he’s running away from people.”
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If Hull gets on track early, while Marty is allowed to run out of the pocket, Northwestern will have the right platform to spring an upset.
The same formula is Illinois’ best ticket to victory, particularly thanks to a dynamic backfield duo. Chase Brown has averaged 5.7 yards per carry, while supporting act Josh McCray is gaining five whenever he takes the ball. Brown is becoming a star thanks to his sudden moves, acceleration and violent power as a finisher.
Both Brown and McCray benefit from an Illinois ground scheme designed to outnumber defenses in the trenches. Offensive coordinator Tony Petersen isn’t afraid put six or even seven offensive linemen on the field at once. Northwestern will be in trouble if the Illini load up in the trenches, because the Wildcats surrendered 268 yards rushing during a 35-7 defeat to Wisconsin only two weeks ago.
There could also be opportunities for Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters after the way the Northwestern D’ allowed 423 yards through the air against Purdue. Peters is still finding his way as a starter, though, after stepping in following Artur Sitkowski’s season-ending arm injury. It’s more likely Illinois trusts Brown to run his team to a win.