ILLINOIS (7-3) AT NO. 1 OHIO STATE (10-0)

* Kickoff: Saturday 12:30 p.m. PST.

* TV: ESPN.

* Line: Ohio State by 15.

* Illinois update: The Illini are bowl eligible for the first time since 2001, when they lost to Louisiana State in the Sugar Bowl. This year’s team has won consecutive games behind running back Rashard Mendenhall, who leads the Big Ten with 1,314 yards rushing. Illinois is No. 6 in the nation in rushing with 261.3 yards a game. Linebacker J Leman is among the best in the nation and leads a defense that’s giving up 19.1 points a game, which is 21st in the nation.

* Ohio State update: The Buckeyes are two victories away from playing in the Bowl Championship Series title game for the second consecutive year. They have won 29 consecutive regular-season games and a Big Ten-record 20 consecutive conference games. They lead the nation in total defense at 221.2 yards a game and in scoring defense at 9.7 points a game. Running back Chris Wells is averaging 174.3 yards rushing over the last three games, 116.5 for the season, and quarterback Todd Boeckman is No. 6 in the nation with a 160.75 passing efficiency.

* Story line: Ohio State could get caught looking ahead. Last year with Michigan looming, Illinois, which finished 2-10, gave Ohio State a run in a 17-10 Buckeyes win.

* The pick: Ohio State. The Buckeyes, with big victories over Penn State and Wisconsin the last two weeks, seem to be getting better as the season goes on.

-- PETER YOON