No, this isn’t a mistake or a joke: Illinois and Indiana, two teams that usually struggle in the Big Ten, are both 4-0 and at the top of the conference standings.
The last time both schools were unbeaten after their first four games was in 1910. The last time Indiana and Illinois finished a season with winning records was in 2007—Indiana went 7-6, while Illinois finished 9-4.
There has been a lot of mediocre to poor football played in Bloomington, Indiana, and Champaign, Illinois.
It’s been over 20 years since either school won a Big Ten title. Illinois coach Ron Turner led the team to a 10-2 finish and a title in 2001. The Hoosiers last won a Big Ten championship in 1967 under coach John Pont.
So, there hasn’t been much to celebrate—until 2024.
Indiana started the season with a 31-7 win over FIU, then defeated FCS team Western Illinois in Week 2. They really caught attention by going on the road to beat new Big Ten member UCLA 42-13. The following week, Indiana won against Charlotte 52-14.
Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a transfer from Ohio, threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns against UCLA and is currently the top-rated quarterback in the conference.
Wake Forest transfer Justice Ellison ranks among the top 10 in the conference with 290 rushing yards and four touchdowns as they head into Saturday’s game at Maryland (3-1).
“I think this team has learned a lot, and I think they’ve developed some pretty strong intangibles,” first-year Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said.
“We certainly have strong character on this football team and a lot of really good guys as well as good players. We’re looking forward to what’s ahead. I think the whole key right now is maintaining our focus.”
Illinois, under fourth-year coach Bret Bielema, defeated Eastern Illinois 45-0, edged past then-No. 19 Kansas 23-17, and beat Central Michigan 30-9. The Illini proved they were not a fluke last week with a 31-24 overtime win against then-No. 22 Nebraska.
