Illinois vs. UCLA: Game Time, Radio and TV Coverage Info for Hunger Bowl

The UCLA Bruins take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl this weekend.

It should be called the “How Did We Get Here” Bowl because both teams barely deserve to be playing in the postseason after their performances this season.

UCLA is bringing a losing record in at 6-7, and the Illini have dropped six straight.

Someone has to come out on top, so keep reading to find out who it will be.

Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA

When: Saturday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: ESPN/ESPN3

Listen: WDWS 1400 AM – Illinois, KLAC 570 AM - UCLA

Key Storyline

Both teams have interim coaches leading their respective squads into this bowl game and know they will be replaced come the offseason.

Neither team had a particularly strong season, with UCLA going 6-7 and Illinois finishing at 6-6, which largely contributed to the dismissal of Rick Neuheisel and Ron Zook respectively.

Mike Johnson is taking over for the Bruins while Vic Koenning will coach the Fighting Illini for this game until Jim Mora Jr. and Tim Beckman join their programs.

Betting Line: Illinois -3

Who Might Not Play for Illinois (All injury reports from USA Today)

RB Jason Ford – QST (Eligibility)

QB Nathan Scheelhaase – QST (Undisclosed)

Who Might Not Play for UCLA

LB Sean Westgate – QST (Concussion)

S Alex Mascarenas – QST (Concussion)

CB Anthony Jefferson – QST (Back)

QB Brett Hundley – QST (Knee)

What it Means for Illinois

The Illini have lost six straight after winning their first six games. That’s an incredible dropoff, and the team has one last chance to salvage their season and end on a high note.

It would let the outgoing seniors end their careers on high notes and give hope to the younger players for next year in a new regime.

What it Means for UCLA

The Bruins actually had a chance to go to the Rose Bowl had they pulled off a stunning upset of Oregon, but that did not happen in the inaugural Pac-12 championship game.

Now they’ll just be happy to finish the season at .500 and capture a Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

What They're Saying

According to the official press release, there is going to be a unique coin that will be flipped to determine who gets the ball first.

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“The game's opening possession will be decided by the flip of an Oreo 'Heads or Tails' cookie, a coin toss unique to the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.”

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That’s a fitting wrinkle to this unique game.

Zack Farmer of the San Francisco Examiner points out that if Illinois wins on Saturday, it would be historic.

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“A win on Saturday would mark the first time Illinois has won bowl games in consecutive seasons.”

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It also would end their historic six-game slide from 6-0 to 6-6.

Illinois Player to Watch: AJ Jenkins

This kid is an absolute force for most of the season but hasn’t scored a touchdown since Illinois stopped winning.

He’s got all the talent in the world but needs to showcase it on a big stage this weekend.

UCLA Player to Watch: Kevin Prince

This dual-threat can score with his legs or his arm when he’s playing well.

If the Bruins are going to get their offense going, it’s going to be because Prince is providing the spark.

Key Matchup: UCLA Secondary and pass rush vs. Illinois vertical passing game.

UCLA has a ton of injured players in the secondary and will need some backups to step their games up, cover AJ Jenkins and find a way to bring down the QB.

Prediction

Illinois 27, UCLA 21