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3 X-Factors for Illinois Football Against Oregon on Saturday
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- 3 X-Factors for Illinois Football Against Oregon on Saturday
Coach Bret Bielema 's 3-3 Illinois Fighting Illini are set to take on Dan Lanning's 4-2 Oregon Ducks Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at Gies Memorial Stadium, a game that the Ducks are expected to win.
The Ducks will be without top quarterback Dante Moore and top receiver Evan Stewart against the Illini while Illinois will start Michael Clayton II, a true freshman, at quarterback with Katin Houser out due to a broken right hand.
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The Fighting Illini will need contributions from unexpected places if they are pull out a win against the Ducks, something that Bielema and his staff have been preparing for going into Week 8.
Oct 3, 2026; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers defensive back John Slaughter (13) tackles Illinois Fighting Illini running back Jordan Anderson (23) during the first half at Gies Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Here are three unheralded Illini players who could play a big role in helping to bring home an upset victory in Champaign, Ill.
1. Javari Barnett, RB-
Barnett had eight carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, a 6.3 yards-per-carry average, against Southern Illinois and could get extra work against the Ducks with starting running back Ca'Lil Valentine listed as out.
Valentine is out for the remainder of the 2026 season, opening the door for Barnett and fellow back Jordan Anderson to get carries.
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Anderson had touchdowns against Ohio State and Southern Illinois and could also factor in behind new starting running back Aidan Loughery this season. Barnett is a physically strong runner who could help wear down the Ducks' defense with enough carries and strong offensive line play.
2. Brayden Trimble, WR-
Trimble had four catches for 56 yards against the Michigan State Spartans in a 38-37 overtime win engineered by Clayton II after Houser broke his right hand.
Trimble is a speedy, smooth player who could find himself running loose against the Ducks secondary if they pay too much attention to Collin Dixon , Hudson Clement, and newcomer Jayshon Platt, who is expected to play his first game in a Fighting Illini uniform.
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Illini players and coaches have expressed confidence in Clayton II, with Bielema saying offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr. decided to allow Clayton II freedom to let passes rip against the Spartans.
Will Lunney Jr. give the freshman the greenlight against the Ducks? Illinois has strength in numbers at the receiver position, so it could happen yet again with Clayton II playing with a full deck of cards, including Trimble.
3. Xavier Scott, DB-
Scott had a rough start to Illinois' loss to Duke and has been a forgotten man ever since preseason whispers that he could approach the same level as former Illini stars Vontae Davis and Devon Witherspoon .
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Scott needs to get his confidence back against the Ducks, something he's been missing for quite some time. In Scott's defense, Illinois hasn't been stout up front and has been learning a new 3-3 Stack system under defensive coordinators Bobby Hauck (now departed), and his replacement Roger Cooper.
The Illini defensive back has what it takes to make game changing plays, but he needs the defensive line and linebackers to do their part in front of him.
Scott and/or Matthew Bailey need to come up with an interception or two in this game to improve the Illini's chances at a huge upset, and they have the talent, and the desire, to do it, meaning they are almost certainly on Oregon offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer's danger list heading into this game.
