game in the last two years. I felt last year both Ohio State and Notre Dame were icing on the cake. But we’ve got to break through and beat at least one of our three top ten opponents. We need to break the narrative that we can only beat cupcakes. Being at home, I think this is the most likely. Getting concerned about injuries, as we were fortunate in that area last year. Let’s do this!
I'd say UM at home last year was probably bigger since that more or less punched our ticket to the playoff.
But the game this weekend is absolutely huge. Win and we take a big step towards being in the national picture in college football this year. Lose and we fade into the background and try to make a decent bowl. It's a fork in the road.
@tammany Stop! Its only Tuesday. Too much time to be nervous and worrying about stuff like this. Though you're right, its an enormous game for a bunch of different reasons.
UM was probably the most important at the time. A win against UI will say, ok maybe last year wasn't a fluke.
This game is as big as the Nebraska game. 
Well, no of course its bigger. But each game last year was the team that was going to show us up.
Illinois is just the best of the bunch so far.
Go Hoosiers! Beat Illinois!
I don't see how this game is more important than a literal playoff game, but I do understand the sentiment of that it was gravy.
I would put this right up there with the Michigan game as most important regular season game. The win over Michigan basically clinched a CFP spot. While a win here doesn't clinch anything, it will put IU back into the discussion.
Thank you for reading Hoosier Huddle
Yes, it is a big game. Not going to try and compare it to others but I’m as pumped to see a football game as ever. Sammy is right, this is the game that will put IU back into the discussion if we handle them as I expect us to.
@tammany I agree, but this year it just beginning, if we beat Illinois then the Iowa game grows in importance, if we win both then the Oregon Game is now the most important, and so it goes. Be where your feet are and beat the teams whom you are favored to beat. It will all take care of itself starting with IU 42... Illinois 21.
BEAT PURDUE
If we are as good as we'd like to be, we must beat both Iowa and Illinois. Only losses to PSU and Oregon work for me and I don't want to lose those. Lose a game to an "I" school and we are second tier. Go Hoosiers!