LINCOLN -- There isn't much about Illinois' Memorial Stadium that's memorable -- or even preferably portable to Nebraska -- that I recall from five trips to the facility, but I can think of two.

The first are plaques commemorating each Illini coach, from terrific to Tim Beckman, posted to columns inside the stadium. Ron Zook looks downright pleased in his portrait. Lovie Smith does not have the magnificent beard he grew over the final years of his tenure.

The second: Two of the Big Ten's best stadium statues -- Dick Butkus and Red Grange. The Grange statue, near the pregame party area, is most prominent. And the uniform on the statue -- stripes creeping up the belly -- will be the same worn by the Illini this weekend against Michigan in what is the biggest home game of current coach Bret Bielema's tenure.

True, the home loss to Purdue in 2022 helped keep Illinois from the Big Ten West title. But a win Saturday helps keep the Illini in the College Football Playoff race. It would also avenge a painful defeat in 2022, when Bielema's squad played a near-perfect game in The Big House, losing 19-17 at the gun to a Wolverine team that finished 13-1.

"I thought we had a good enough football team to go up there and win," Bielema said this week at his press conference. "Unfortunately, it didn't happen, and there were a lot of things that went into it, things we could've done better."

Or things the Big Ten refs could've done better.

Michigan trailed 17-16 with under a minute to go, converting a key fourth down at midfield with a short pass. Officials missed a blatant off ensive pass interference call -- not even a pick, just a straight up block from tight end Colston Loveland -- that would have nullified the first down.

Illinois hammered North-western that following week but lost ugly to Mississippi State in the bowl game, then finished 5-7 in 2023. Last season was a few wild wins from being 3-9, too.

Bielema's contract, lengthened to 2028 after the 2022 season, was too rich for Illinois brass to buy out had 2024 gone awry. But it hasn't.

Illinois has rebounded with a 5-1 start, which included a 31-24 overtime win at Nebraska in late September and a lucky 50-49 survival vs. Purdue.

Hey, a win's a win. Besides, Purdue's passing off ense is better than Michigan's.

The Wolverines are onto their third starting quarterback of 2024 -- seventh-year, 25-year-old Jack Tuttle, who hasn't practiced much this year due to an undisclosed injury. He was thrust into Michigan's loss to Washington, now he's the guy.

The larger surprise might be Michigan's pass defense, bedraggled in losses to Texas and Washington. Michigan faces 40 passes per game -- most among any power-conference school, and has already allowed more touchdown passes in 2024 (12) than it did in all of 2023 (eight).

"Guys are getting the ball out fast," Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said. "Because they know the pass rush is going to be there. ... We've got to get better fundamentally, we've got to get better at our angles when the ball is caught."

Michigan faces what is becoming a potent Illinois off ense. Quarterback Luke Altmyer -- 68% completion rate, 14 touchdowns, one interception -- remains in the running for Big Ten honors. Receiver Pat Bryant could make all-conference, too.

Still, the Wolverines are a 4½-point favorite. Michigan can run the ball and stop the run. Those things, in the burly Big Ten, still matter.

And so a litmus test for Illinois, who passed with flying colors at Nebraska then struggled at Penn State before a stunning near-failure at home to Purdue.

Michigan is somewhere in the middle of all those teams. It would be a big feather in Bielema's cap.

The coach wants an angry, raucous crowd for the 2:30 p.m. CBS game.

"I'd really like for someone to have to prepare for crowd noise coming here," Bielema said.

I suspect Illini fans will be as happy as Zook looks in his plaque.

Sam's pick: Illinois 22, Michigan 20

Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) at Indiana (6-0, 3-0)

11 a.m. Saturday (Fox) Sam's take: Local media is skeptical the Huskers can pull the upset. I like how NU's defense matches up with Indiana's off ense. The game comes down to whether the Husker off ense, led by midseason freshman All-American Dylan Raiola, can control the game and keep the Hoosier off ense on the sideline. If so, Nebraska ends a lot of painful streaks. Line: Indiana by 6½. Sam's pick: Nebraska 27, Indiana 26

Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1) at Northwestern (3-3, 1-2)

11 a.m. Saturday (BTN) The Badgers have split their last six games against the Wildcats, who have posted spirited red zone defense performances in some of those wins. Wisconsin is on a roll with its off ense, but Northwestern will put a decent fight. Line: Wisconsin by 8. Pick: Wisconsin 27, Northwestern 20

Iowa (4-2, 2-1) at Michigan State (3-3, 1-2)

6:30 p.m. Saturday (NBC) Odd line, but there have been a lot of odd ones this year in the Big Ten. Vegas seems to think home-field advantage matters quite a bit in 2024, given MSU allowed 152, 185 and 213 rushing yards in its past three games and the Hawkeyes are the Big Ten's top rushing team. Line: Iowa by 6. Pick: Iowa 23, Michigan State 9

UCLA (1-5, 0-4) at Rutgers (4-2, 1-2)

11 a.m. Saturday (FS1) The Bruins have found their footing on defense but a last-minute loss to Minnesota may leave them with little hope. Rutgers has an advanced degree in winning ugly. Line: Rutgers by 4½. Pick: Rutgers 20, UCLA 13

Southern Cal. (3-3, 1-3) at Maryland (3-3, 0-3)

3 p.m. Saturday (FS1) It's possible -- even likely -- that the Trojan defensive tank is on empty after games against Wisconsin, Minnesota and Penn State in backto-back-back weeks. USC has the (much) better quarterback and receivers, though, and only a smattering of fans will show up north of DC. Line: USC by 7. Pick: USC 29, Maryland 24

Sam's record

Last week: 3-4 straight up, 3-4 against the spread

This season: 67-11 straight up, 35-41 against the spread