Indiana, Illinois hoping for strong start to Big Ten play

Illinois (1-0) at Indiana (0-0), Friday, 8 p.m. ET (FS1)

Line: Indiana by 2 1/2, in accordance with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Collection document: Illinois leads 44-24-3.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Illinois coach Bret Bielema wished a nonconference recreation earlier than opening Large Ten play. Athletic division officers obliged, and the Illini beat Wyoming convincingly final week. Bielema now hopes the anticipated enchancment between the primary two video games involves fruition. Indiana, in the meantime, opens towards a convention opponent for the fourth time in six years. The final time the Hoosiers received their opener, within the 2020 pandemic season, they went 6-2. This time they’re making an attempt to snap a nine-game shedding streak in league play.

KEY MATCHUP

Indiana QB vs. Illinois secondary. Hoosiers coach Tom Allen hasn’t introduced whether or not Jack Tuttle or Missouri switch Connor Bazelak will begin. Both means, the problem can be going through what seems to be an improved Illinois protection. A 12 months in the past, the Illini allowed 215.2 yards passing per recreation. However they yielded solely 30 yards final week for his or her lowest single-game complete since 2012. The Cowboys additionally transformed simply one in all 12 third downs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Illinois: RB Chase Brown. After topping the 1,000-yard mark final season, Brown opened 2022 with a bang. His 151 yards speeding rank fourth within the nation and his three touchdowns — two on runs, one on a catch — are tied for the nationwide lead. Friday’s recreation ought to give everybody a greater glimpse of what Brown may do for the Illini this season.

Indiana: CB Tiawan Mullen. Whereas most followers have been fixated on the quarterback battle, the return of a wholesome, All-America-caliber cowl nook may give the Hoosiers’ protection an enormous raise. An damage in follow restricted Mullen to solely 4 begins and 7 recreation appearances final season. It confirmed. The Hoosiers’ protection struggled mightily with out him.

FACTS & FIGURES

Illinois and Indiana are squaring off for simply the second time since 2013. … The Illini have held 5 of their final six opponents to twenty factors or fewer. … Indiana misplaced its closing eight video games in 2021 however has received three straight within the sequence. … Illinois QB Tommy DeVito will make his convention debut simply six days after going 27 of 37 with 194 yards and two TDs in his first recreation since transferring from Syracuse. … Allen, who was initially employed by Indiana to be the defensive coordinator, has resumed calling the defensive alerts. … Illini receiver Jonah Morris attended Indiana in 2016 and 2017.

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