Indiana Hoosiers Host the Illinois Illini for Homecoming

There is a lot on the line this weekend.

Indiana looks to break their three game losing streak, while Illinois looks to get themselves back into bowl contention, or at least save their season.

Both teams have not performed up to expectation this year, with Indiana being 3-3 now, when most people thought they should be 4-2, and Illinois being 1-4; their only win coming at home vs Illinois St.

The Hoosiers need a big performance tonight. It is homecoming weekend in Bloomington, and the game is a night game, at 7 PM and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. This is IU's chance to show the nation they still have some fight in them.

At the same time, Illinois needs to find its identity, with both QB's, senior Juice Williams and junior Eddie McGee struggling, they need a win to avoid making last year's success of making it to the Rose Bowl a fluke. Juice Williams has been in poor form this season, but McGee has been no better.

If the Hoosiers want to win, they need to:

1. Get the running game going- In the past two games, which were blowout defeats, the Hoosiers have run for only 118 yards and one touchdown. They must do better this week to compliment the passing game.

2. Pressure the opposing QB, but keep him in the pocket- IU has a tough test again, where they will probably see their third running QB in a row, in senior Juice Williams. Indiana must do a better job at getting to the QB,making sure he is contained within the pocket so he can't run for forward yardage.

3. Ben Chappell must use his receivers- All too often we see four wide receivers line-up for the Hoosiers, and Chappell just looks one way, usually at Doss. He needs to look around to fool the safeties, and to avoid another day of interceptions.

The Hoosiers' and Illini's seasons are on the line tonight, so this should make for a great game.

My Prediction

Indiana wins 24-21

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