You have to wonder what Michigan State’s mindset will be going into this game. Coming off a loss to Michigan isn’t the problem, of course. It’s the incidents in the tunnel after the game that has the program under scrutiny. Also, you have seven players from the defense suspended indefinitely, including three starters and three others who played in the Michigan game. Illinois should have its way with the Spartans depleted defense.

Under normal circumstances, this spot might be high — though not by much. Illinois wields the premier defense in the FBS, while Michigan State’s offense ranks 111th and put up seven points last Saturday. Add in an elephant-in-the-room suspension of eight Spartans for a post-game fight that could bring criminal charges, and the visitors are up against it. They have not covered in three away outings, whereas the Illini are 5-0 at home and 4-1 against-the-spread.