13. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS @ INDIANA (Sept. 5, 3 p.m. CT) ESPNEWS
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
As you can probably tell and should know already, there is a slight theme to start this countdown. Most of these bottom tier games are mostly fluff and filler to get everyone to the meat of the opening weekend set of games.
Betsided
The Southern Illinois Salukis finished seventh in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) with an overall record of 6-6, 3-5 in conference. Standout tight end MyCole Pruitt led the team in receiving with 81 receptions for 861 yards and 13 touchdowns. But he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings this year and will need to find a viable receiving option to replace him.
Indiana has the same problem as they try to replace their tremendous running back Tevin Coleman. He rushed for an amazing 2,036 yards and 15 touchdowns for a team that finished 4-8 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten, dead last in the East division. Head coach Kevin Wilson has a tall task once again to try to get the Hoosiers back to a bowl game, something they have not done since 2007.
Not sure who wins this one as I think SIU could pull off the upset, but it being in Bloomington, IN I think the Hoosiers have a (very) slight advantage.
Next: Starting on the Right Foot