Illinois: #1 Vontae Davis

Position: Cornerback

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Height/Weight: 6 feet/205 lbs.

Last season Davis was a First-Team Freshman All-American selection by The Sporting News, Scout.com and Rivals.com and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by both the coaches and the media. The Illini’s Rookie of the Year last season is back to his impressive play this season. Davis is third on the team in tackles with 19 through the Illini’s first three games of the season. He is also tied for first on the team with three broken up passes and he blocked a punt which he recovered for a touchdown in the team’s season opener against Missouri. Davis will be put to the test Saturday as he will be matched up against one of the Big Ten’s best receivers in James Hardy.

Indiana: #82 James Hardy

Position: Wide Receiver

Year: R-Junior

Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.

Height/Weight: 6-feet-7/220 lbs.

As just a sophomore Hardy caught 51 passes for 722 yards and 10 touchdowns and was given Second-Team All-Big Ten by the conference media. In just two-plus seasons Hardy has caught 25 touchdowns, giving him sole possession of second place on the Hoosiers all-time list, needing just six more to overthrow Jade Butcher (1967-69) as the school’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions. Hardy could reach that feat by the end of this season as he has already snagged 10 catches for 245 yards and five touchdowns. That means every other time Hardy has caught the ball this year it has resulted in a touchdown.