Game Day Primer: Indiana Hoosiers at Illinois Fighting Illini

Written by: Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

What: Indiana Hoosiers (3-6) at Illinois Fighting Illini (2-7)

When: Saturday, November 11th  at Noon ET

Where: Memorial Stadium, Champaign, Illinois

How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on BTN. Fans can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.

What’s at Stake: Indiana hasn’t won since their early October game against Charleston Southern while Illinois is riding a seven-game losing streak. Illinois has already been eliminated from bowl contention while the Hoosiers need to string three wins together starting this week. IU has won the last two against Illinois (’12 and ’13) even though the teams haven’t met in four seasons.

A Few Things to Look For

Can Indiana Avoid Playing Down to an Opponent

The Hoosiers opened as 9.5-point favorites and should be about a touchdown favorite when the game kicks off on Saturday, so the sharps think IU should win pretty handedly. However, this Indiana team has shown that they cannot take any team lightly as they tend to play up and down to the level of their competition in Big Ten play.

Illinois is riding a seven-game skid and is in the midst of figuring out what they have and what they need in the future. Lovie Smith will probably start freshman QB Cam Thomas on Saturday. He has completed 14-of-35 passes (40%) for 236 yards and three interceptions. He has NOT thrown a touchdown in three games. Thomas, however, can make plays with his legs as he is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. NOTE: Jeff George Jr. will be starting. 

Although both teams enter this contest at 0-6 in the conference Indiana, on paper, is clearly the better team. They will have to play like it if they want to keep their bowl dreams alive.

The Hoosier Run Game Should Be Able to Gain Traction

It’s no secret the Hoosiers have played a very difficult schedule to open Big Ten play that has featured some of the best run defenses in the country (Michigan State, Wisconsin, Michigan, Penn State and Ohio State are all in the top-20 nationally). When the Hoosiers take on the Illini Saturday they’ll be facing the 110th best rush defense and we should find out whether or not IU’s rushing attack, ranked 115th nationally, is struggling because of the competition or just because they lack overall talent at running back and offensive line. Morgan Ellison should be able to carry the ball more than six times this week after getting shut down by Wisconsin last week.

Defense Should Be Able to Tee-Off Against a Young Illinois Offense

Tom Allen’s defense should be able to fatten up on this edition of the Illini. Illinois ranks 124th in total offense, 123rd in scoring offense, 97th in passing offense and 112th in rushing offense. That’s just miserable and the Hoosiers need to flex their muscles on defense. The front seven of IU should be able to get into the Illini back field as Illinois has surrendered 62 tackles for loss (102nd nationally) and 28 sacks (115th nationally). Illinois’ offense has also turned the ball over 19 times in 2017. If Indiana can’t get stops against this team, they can kiss their hopes of the postseason good bye.

Hoosier Huddle will have extensive pre-and post-game coverage of this and every other game of the 2017 season!