WHAT'S NEXT

Fired up Northwestern visits Memorial Stadium a week after ending Iowa's hopes for a BCS title spot. The plucky would love nothing more than to end Illinois' bowl hopes. That's not all the teams are playing for. The winner will get the first-ever Land of Lincoln Trophy, which will be unveiled this week. It replaces the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, which stays forever in Evanston.

MINNEAPOLIS -- A bowl bid is still an option. Not likely. But an option.

Illinois kept its slim postseason hopes alive Saturday, edging Minnesota 35-32 on a sunny day at TCF Bank Stadium. The Illini, who played most of the game without starting quarterback Juice Williams, dominated the first three quarters and held on for the win.

Bob Asmussen is back in the pressbox at TCF Bank Stadium after the Illini's 35-32 win against Minnesota. He'll take your questions at 4 p.m., but submit them now.

Also, go ahead and grade the Illini. I'll give them a B-plus for their first road win of the season.

Illinois went on the road and won a Big Ten football game. For the first time Oct. 4, 2008. The way the game ended, with the Gophers getting close, will give the Illinois coaches something to harp on during practice. The Tim Brewster Era is not bringing back memories of Bernie Bierman.

MINNEAPOLIS – One more loss and the bowl bid goes away. Then what for the Illinois football team?

Moping doesn't do you much good. Getting angry at everyone won't help either. So, they look for a model. And follow it. Like Mack Brown.

Bob Asmussen's news and notes from Friday afternoon in Minneapolis

This week, HQ recruiting expert Jeremy Werner analyzed where Illinois stood with the prep football stars still looking for a school.

Someone has to win it.