Primetime Clash with Playoff Stakes:-
One of the marquee matchups of the weekend. And what a testament it is to these two coaching staffs to have this game with these two brands in this window with a possible playoff spot on the line. Illinois traveling to Indiana. The Ali are number nine. Indiana number 19. Indiana right now about a four-point favorite. This game 7:30 Eastern time on NBC. We know right now Ohio State going to the playoff. Oregon probably going to the playoff, but the Big 10 last year got four in. So, whoever wins this game is going to have a pretty significant leg up over the other team.
A Testament to Two Outstanding Coaching Jobs:-
Game and a half advantage. Maybe they get in. We know Penn State’s probably bound for the playoff as well. So, this could be a pivotal matchup for that fourth spot in the Big 10. That fourth spot, historically speaking, granted just one year, but historically speaking, that fourth spot is a playoff team. So, a big one here on the line on NBC at night. Brett Bilma has been amazing. Kurt Signetti has been amazing. These are two great staffs and can’t wait to see how it all works out. Thing is is that Indiana, they haven’t really played anybody. Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State, like we don’t really know what to make of them just yet.
Indiana’s Soft Schedule Leaves Questions:-
He is a perfect personification of what Illinois wants to be. 72% completion, 709, eight touchdowns, zero picks. So, he’s been outstanding for the Ali here in the first three games. Then, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, transfer from Cal, generating a lot of buzz. He’s got a rocket arm, super accurate, very poised, avoids mistakes, really impressed with what seen so far, albeit against lesser competition. Question one, how will Indiana’s passing attack handle the step up in competition? So far, they’ve been outstanding, right? In Signetti’s tenure, they’re averaging like 50 plus points a game, right? They are third in rushing offense, too, though, with 311 rushing yards a game against Indiana State. Lee BBE, , explosive member of their threeheaded rushing attack.
QB Battle: Altmeyer vs. Mendoza:-
Did suffer a season ending knee injury, so that’s significant. He was leading the team nearly 7 and 1/2 yards per carry. He had that home run threat that made that ground game very, very difficult to defend. Now, the rushing attack still has capable weapons with Roman Hemi and Kalin Black, but the absence of BB could be significant. This committee approach kind of keeps defenses off balance. They’re unable to kind of key on tendencies of one single back. BB was that guy that could take it the distance every single time he touched the ball. So, his absence removes not just production, but diversity within the scheme as well.
Can Indiana’s Passing Game Handle the Jump in Competition?:-
Look, Hank Batty has been amazing for Illinois up to this point. He’s been a game breaker, not just as a receiver, but also in the return game. He has turned into one of the most versatile all-purpose players in the entire country. He leads all power four players with 466 all-purpose yards and is one of only two players in the nation to have scored a rushing, a receiving, and a punt return touchdown this year.
How Will Illinois Attack Indiana’s Secondary?:-
19 catches, 289 and a touchdown. 25 yard rushing touchdown on his lone carry and 152 punt return yards. That’s a 25.3 average, which of course includes another score. So they got to keep an eye on him because he’s been outstanding. And in complimenting him too is a really solid attack led by three backs that can also get after you and Fagen, Valentine, Lafery. Each are a little bit unique and will force defenses to stay honest because the rushing attack will always be there as long as Brett Beum is coaching the Ali. Now, Indiana secondary, they have a very disruptive front. We know that, but the secondary you can make a case is is one of the strengths of the team.
Can Illinois Protect Altmeyer?:-
D’Angelo Ponds is a guy that can lock things down. Not the longest guy in the world, but very physical. Does a great job. Plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s got a ball hawking safety in Lewis Moore, who already has a couple of interceptions this year. This back end is very, very difficult and should provide a significant challenge to an excellent passing attack for the Ali. Question three, can Illinois’s offensive line hold up in protection. In the first half against Duke, they give up four sacks. Things got cleaned up though after that first half. And this is a very disruptive defensive front. This front seven is awesome. They have 10 sacks through three games for Indiana. In their most recent outing, they didn’t allow Indiana State to do hardly anything. They had just 77 total yards of offense in the game. So, how will this aggressive front be able to work against an offensive line that has a lot of veteran leadership, but has at times shown a little bit of a struggle against quality competition? Question four, who will win the matchups between Illinois defense backs and Indiana wide receivers? Omar Cooper and Elijah Serat. They make up one of the best one-two punches in the Big 10.
DB vs. WR Battle: Who Wins the Perimeter?:-
And Illinois’s defense has kind of been sculpted into one of the better units in all of college football. They prevent explosive plays. They hunt for turnovers. They are fifth in the nation in scoring defense. They allow just seven points per game. They have been a nightmare against the opposing offense to try to run the ball, too. They hold opponents to under three yards per attempt. These DBs are really good. Anchored by a trio of veteran playmakers and Matthew Bailey, Miles Scott, and Xavier Scott. Xavier Scott is a really good football player. He’s all over the place. He’s a veteran presence.
Had four picks last year. He’s going to be big. That’ll be a great match up between him and Serat in the event which they’re going against each other. Question number five. Can Illinois’s pass rush get home? Now, the kind of chaos that Illinois tries to create is almost all through their outside linebacker, defensive end, edge presence, Gabe Ais. He’s a game wrecker. He leads the Big 10 with six and a half sacks through just three games. He’s not just disruptive, but man, you always have to account for him. He is so good. He’s got two forced fumbles. He is a guy that every single time it’s an obvious passing situation, you better have your eyes on him because that relentless pressure is something that can overwhelm the offensive line. And if you look at Indiana’s offense right now, their offensive line has been very good. They have one of the best offensive line coaches in the country and Bob Bostad.
Can Illinois’s Pass Rush Disrupt Mendoza?:-
They have a veteran group might be their overall team strength. They have an all-American potentially at left tackle. You got experienced guy guys at center and an experienced guy at guard and Bray Lynch. the Notre Dame transfer Pat Hugan’s been very good. Now they got to kind of neutralize this disruptive force of Gabe Ais and limit this entire Illino front seven. Question six, can Illinois’s defense continue to force mistakes? Now through three games, Illinois is tied for the national lead with five fumble recoveries and has a plus six turnover margin. They don’t have any turnovers on offense. They force six. Pretty good start. The results kind of speak for themselves. Over the last two years, Illinois is a perfect 10 and0 in games. And when they have committed zero or one turnovers. So, if Illinois keeps a clean sheet, things point to them in being able to get this win. Illinois is 15 and five against the spread on the road in the last five seasons. It’s the best in the FBS over that span.
Turnover Battle: Illinois Thrives on Mistakes:-
Think this passing attack could potentially overwhelm this Illinois secondary and it should be a fascinating matchup there. 7:30 Eastern time on NBC. Really looking forward to that one by the way. And and in the onset, tremendous credit to Brett Bumma with what he’s done at Illinois and to Curt Signetti with what he’s done at Indiana to turn these teams, programs that had not often had remarkable runs of success to turn them into perennial powers says a lot about their coaching acumen and what they might be able to achieve down the road because think the winner of this game.