Here’s how you can watch Saturday afternoon’s Illinois vs Michigan State game from Champaign online.
Michigan State went to the College Football Playoff just one season ago, but Mark Dantonio’s Spartans have been underperforming, to say the least, in 2016. In fact, the Spartans are just 2-6 to start the year after a six-game losing streak.
Freshman quarterback Brian Lewerke looked like the best quarterback through the Spartans in recent weeks, but he broke his leg against Michigan on Saturday. Senior captain Tyler O’Connor will be the starter from this point on and he’s going to have to engineer a big turnaround.
The offense does have weapons around O’Connor, though. R.J. Shelton has been the top receiver, catching37 passes for 598 yards and four scores. Freshman wide out Donnie Corley is also a name to watch and sophomore running back LJ Scott is finally heating up, rushing for 603 yards and four TDs.
Illinois has also had a rough start to the season, going just 2-6 through eight games. Lovie Smith, a former NFL head coach, took the Illini job in the offseason and he was hoping to turn the program around quickly, but it looks like that might take longer than he had hoped.
Jeff George Jr. has taken over as the team’s starting quarterback since Wes Lunt went down with an injury. He hasn’t played since Oct. 8 and the Illini offense has suffered because of it. George Jr. is young, but he’s not nearly as effective through the air.
Malik Turner has been the Illini’s only receiver worth mentioning, leading the team with 35 catches for 523 yards and four scores. The run game behind Kendrick Foster and Reggie Corbin has been solid, but nowhere near elite.
Here’s how you can watch Saturday’s Illinois vs Michigan State game online:
NEXT: Best College Football Live Streams
Date: Saturday, November 5
Start Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Champaign, IL
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: ESPNNews
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Michigan State will attempt to gain some momentum with a road win against a hapless Illinois team. Both are 2-6 on the year, but only one can come out on top and stop the bleeding.