Cincinnati coach wants to avoid 'trap game' with Illini

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports: Bearcats coach Brian Kelly says Illinois has a dangerous team, even at 3-7.

"Everybody looks at their record, and if you haven't watched them on film or you haven't watched them play, you'd say this is not a very good football team," Kelly said.

Kelly believes his Cincinnati program is at the point where beating a Big Ten school doesn't enhance its status.

"Not really," he said. "We've played top-notch opponents. From our end, we don't have to play those games anymore; we just have to keep winning. When you've won 16 consecutive regular-season games, it's hard to say one game is going to define you."

Read the full story on cincinnati.com.

The Tribune's Shannon Ryan breaks down Friday's matchup and gives her prediction here.