Editor’s note:Select us as a preferred source here to keep seeing IndyStar in your search results.
It’s the first time in 38 years that Indiana football has a home game featuring teams ranked in the top 20, and what a big game it is.
The Hoosiers, ranked 17th, host the No. 8 Illinois Fighting Illini team that was anointed in the offseason as “the next Indiana.” The argument that Illinois is coming out of nowhere to make the College Football Playoff does not hold up. However, it can be properly characterized as a misfit, a program not recognized as a blue blood spoiling the black-tie affair.
ESPN “College GameDay” opted for its cozy seat with an in-state SEC-ACC meeting between a struggling Florida visiting a top-5 Miami team. It spent a roughly two-minute segment on Illinois and Indiana with a few keys to the game.
It then had Illinois picked twice during the “superdogs” segment where analysts get points if an underdog covers. IU, by the way, was favored by 7 points Saturday morning per BetMGM. Here’s what Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit said as their superdog picks, and then see the full picks below.
Howard: “I’m going with the Fighting Illini of Illinois. Going on the road playing Indiana. I’m kind of spotty about the Hoosiers this year. So we’re going to see if there as good as they were a year ago. I’m going with Illinois and (quarterback Luke) Altmyer.”
Herbstreit: “… I’m going Illinois. I’m not only going Illinois, I’m going Illinois to win outright. I think Illinois is going to win the football game.”
ESPN ‘College GameDay’ picks for Illinois-Indiana football
Desmond Howard: That’s an easy pick for me. That’s my superdog. Let’s go Fighting Illini.
Nick Saban: I like Illinois in this game, too. I think they have a little better defense, and I think they may be the more physical team.
Pat McAfee: First time these two are playing as ranked opponents since 1950, it’s a special time in the Big Ten for these two teams. Give me the home team, Indiana, down there in beautiful Bloomington.
Matthew Tkachuk: Big Ten football, let’s get the ice packs ready, boys. I’ve got Illinois on the road, a little upset alert, their defense is good.
Kirk Herbstreit: This is a battle of cultures. Both these teams kind of pride themselves on playing with a chip on their shoulder. I think, coach, what you’re saying — the line of scrimmage — Bret Bielema, that’s his kind of game. And I think, the fact Illinois has not turned it over once all year, that’s got to happen today for them to win.
McAfee: OK, we’re back on the island.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter. Listen to Mind Your Banners, our IU Athletics-centric podcast, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the latest on IndyStar TV: Hoosiers.
