College football: Illinois at Indiana

When: 6 p.m. at Memorial Stadium

TV: BTN; Radio: WIND 560-AM.

Series: Illinois leads 43-21-2.

Coaches: Ron Zook (19-34, fifth year at Illinois; 42-48 overall); Bill Lynch (13-18, third year at Indiana; 94-85-3 overall)

Players to watch: Though Illinois coach Ron Zook hasn't given the official word, look for senior QB Juice Williams to be back at the controls. Juice has led the Illini to 4 touchdowns in his last three quarters. RB Mikel Leshoure could get to start after scoring 2 touchdowns in four touches last week. True freshman S Walt Aikens could make his first start as junior Garrett Edwards' strained neck hasn't responded well.

Indiana QB Ben Chappell hits 64 percent of his passes, but he has thrown 4 interceptions with just 2 TDs during the Hoosiers' 3-game losing streak. Sophomore WR Tandon Doss (41 catches, 546 yards) is IU's biggest threat, both as a receiver and a returner. Senior DE Jammie Kirlew ranks fourth nationally with 11.5 tackles for loss. That includes 4.5 sacks.

The skinny: It's time to be blunt. If the Illini can't knock off the Hoosiers during IU's Homecoming, then Ron Zook will have used up the last of his Rose Bowl goodwill. Indiana is one of the nation's worst rushing teams as well as one of the worst against the pass. Their special teams, with the exception of their kick returns, are subpar as well. Illinois' defenders say last week's second-half shutout of Michigan State has given them confidence, while the offense put up 2 touchdowns in the final 20 minutes. Could this be the week Illinois scores a first-half touchdown AND holds a lead against a Football Bowl Subdivision team?