FACTS & STATS: Site: Memorial Stadium (62,870) -- Champaign, Illinois. Television: Big Ten Network. Home Record: Indiana 2-3, Illinois 2-1. Away Record: Indiana 0-1, Illinois 1-2. Neutral Record: Indiana 0-0, Illinois 0-0. Conference Record: Indiana 0-3, Illinois 1-2. Series Record: Illinois leads, 42-20-3.

GAME NOTES: The Illinois Fighting Illini will try to continue their dominance over the Indiana Hoosiers in Champaign, as the two are set to meet in a Big Ten Conference clash on Saturday night. After a promising 2007 campaign and a 2-0 start in '08, things were looking up for the Hoosiers. But the wheels have since fallen off, as they've gone on to lose four straight. Last week, they were blown out by Iowa, 45-9, leaving more questions than answers at the halfway point of the season. On the other sideline, Illinois is coming off a tough 27-20 loss to Minnesota. Prior to that loss, the Illini appeared headed in the right direction, with their only setbacks coming against now No. 3 Penn State and No. 11 Missouri. The Illini will play four of their next five at home. In terms of the head-to-head series, Illinois holds a 42-20-3 edge over Indiana, including a 27-8-1 record in Champaign.

Over the last two weeks, the Hoosiers' offense has gone missing. In losses to Minnesota and Iowa, the offense has managed just two touchdowns. Obviously, that's not going to get it done in the Big Ten, or in any other conference for that matter. Last week, the offense failed to notch a first down on six of its first eight possessions. Quarterback Kellen Lewis was intercepted on his third pass of the game, which resulted in an Iowa touchdown four plays later. On their next possession, the Hoosiers went three-and-out and suddenly found themselves climbing uphill the rest of the way. Lewis spent the week in a boot after suffering a high ankle sprain. Coach Bill Lynch said he is questionable for this contest.

After that tough start last week, things snowballed out of control pretty quickly for the IU defense. They were not able to hold their own against the run or the pass. The Hawkeyes had two guys eclipse 100 rushing yards and combine for four touchdowns on the ground, while quarterback Ricky Stanzi added a pair of passing touchdowns. Compounding matters for IU are a few injuries on defense. Defensive tackle Deonte Mack, linebacker Tyler Replogle and safety Austin Thomas were all held out of practice this week for various injuries. Regardless of who suits up, the team needs big performances from guys like Jammie Kirlew (team-high 35 tackles, six sacks) and Will Patterson (33 tackles, 4.5 TFL, one fumble recovery).

Thanks to his pure running ability and his continually improving passing skills, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams has led the Big Ten in total offense since the start of the season. Two weeks ago at Michigan, he tallied 431 yards of total offense (310 passing, 121 rushing). Last week against Minnesota, he racked up 503 yards of total offense (462 passing, 41 rushing). Williams has teamed with Daniel Dufrene (79.7 ypg) to form the Big Ten's No. 3 rushing attack. Despite their strong running game, the Illini haven't exactly plowed their way down the field with long scoring drives. In fact, more than half of the team's touchdown drives have occupied less than two minutes. They have five touchdowns the covered more than 50 yards, which ranks second nationally.

If the Illini defense is able to catch up with the offense, they'll be a tough out for anyone they face. Currently, Illinois is yielding 29 ppg and has struggled equally against the pass and the run. Last week, the defense struggled with Minnesota running back DeLeon Eskridge, who tallied 124 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. With the exception of a 25-yard touchdown pass on the Gophers' opening drive, the UI secondary managed to avoid big plays in the passing game. But, considering the final outcome, the damage was already done. Martez Wilson paced the unit with a game-high 13 tackles. He ranks second on the team with 52 tackles (4.5 TFL). Brit Miller leads the way with 61 stops, including 12.5 behind the line of scrimmage.

Indiana has looked lost the last few weeks. Now, the Hoosiers are playing at night, on the road, against an Illinois team coming off a tough loss. Then again, the Hoosiers won their last trip to Illinois in 2006.