Illinois and Indiana are both 4-0 and sitting atop the Big Ten standings

 

[September 25, 2024]  By MITCH STACY

No, this is not a typo or somebody's idea of a joke: Illinois and Indiana, two perennial also-rans in the mighty Big Ten, are both 4-0 and sitting atop the conference standings.

The last time both of those schools were unbeaten after the first four games was in 1910. The last time Indiana and Illinois finished the same season with winning records was in 2007 — Indiana was 7-6, Illinois was 9-4.

A lot of football ranging from mediocre to bad has been played in Bloomington, Indiana, and Champaign, Illinois.

It's been more than two decades since either school won a Big Ten title. Illinois coach Ron Turner did it in 2001 when he guided the Illini to a 10-2 finish. John Pont was the coach when Hoosiers last won a Big Ten crown in 1967.

So there hasn't been much to crow about — until 2024.

Indiana beat FIU 31-7 in the opener, routed FCS squad Western Illinois in Week 2 and then grabbed everyone's attention by going on the road and walloping new Big Ten member UCLA 42-13. Indiana came back the next week and beat Charlotte 52-14.

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, a transfer from Ohio who threw for 307 yards and four touchdowns against UCLA, is currently the top-rated quarterback in the conference. Wake Forest transfer Justice Ellison is among the top 10 in the conference with 290 rushing yards and four touchdowns going 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 quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) celebrates while exiting the field after an overtime win over Nebraska in an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in Lincoln, Neb. (AP Photo/Bonnie Ryan)

Illinois under fourth-year coach Bret Bielema dispatched Eastern Illinois 45-0, got by then-No. 19 Kansas 23-17 and beat Central Michigan 30-9. The Illini showed they were no fluke last week with a 31-24 overtime win at then-No. 22 Nebraska.

Illinois debuted in the AP Top 25 two weeks ago and have moved up five spots to No. 19. They will look for their third win over a ranked team when they travel to No. 9 Penn State (3-0) on Saturday.

“I wanted those guys to understand, it's great, right?," Bielema said. “Now every week you kind of set the standard over again.”

The Illini's Luke Altmyer, who transferred from Ole Miss last year, leads conference quarterbacks with 10 touchdown passes. He was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his performance against Nebraska.

Besides Penn State, the other conference unbeatens are Ohio State, Oregon and Rutgers — all 3-0.

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