Chambana Sun

The University of Illinois football team is set to face off against the University of Minnesota on Saturday, November 2nd at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The game, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Central Time, will be broadcast on FS1 and marks both Dads Day and Military Appreciation Day for the Illini.

Illinois enters the matchup with a record of 6-2 overall and 3-2 in Big Ten play. They are ranked No. 24 in this week's AP Top 25 poll. Despite their recent loss to top-ranked Oregon, Illinois has maintained its spot in the AP poll for seven consecutive weeks and has secured three victories over ranked teams this season.

Minnesota comes into the game on a three-game winning streak after defeating USC, UCLA, and Maryland. The Golden Gophers hold a record of 5-3 overall and share an identical conference record with Illinois at 3-2.

The history between these two teams is extensive; they have met 76 times before with Minnesota leading the all-time series. However, Illinois has won their last three encounters against Minnesota.

Saturday's event will also celebrate Dads Day as part of a tradition that began over a century ago in 1920. A "King Dad" will be announced during halftime festivities. Additionally, Military Appreciation Day will honor active military personnel who can receive complimentary tickets to attend the game.

Before kickoff, various activities are planned including an Illini Walk where an Army cadet will rappel from Memorial Stadium’s colonnades delivering a game ball. A pregame tailgate hosted by Chez Veterans Center will take place at Grange Grove featuring virtual reality gaming setups available for fans.

Tim Brando, Devin Gardner, and Josh Sims will provide commentary for CBS while Brian Barnhart leads the radio coverage through Busey Bank Illini Sports Network.

The match promises not only intense competition but also celebrations honoring community traditions and service members' contributions.