2. Illinois at Indiana - September 20
College football analysts, podcasts, and preseason preview content tend to try to figure out which teams can break through and surprise by making the College Football Playoff. Some ask, “Who will be this season’s Indiana?” Which team will come out of nowhere, take advantage of a favorable schedule, and reach the CFP? The answer for many analysts this offseason has been Illinois. The Fighting Illini return 18 starters, avoid Oregon and Penn State, and get Ohio State at home. The most challenging road game for the Illini might be the September 20 meeting against the team they are expected to replicate: Indiana. Curt Cignetti’s squad is not going to disappear from the stage. They return three All-Americans on defense and add Fernando Mendoza at quarterback. This will be a major showdown with a very hyped crowd because IU should almost certainly be 3-0 heading into this game.
