The Big Ten is suddenly wide open after Ohio State’s huge Julian Sayin injury update. That makes ESPN’s latest “College GameDay” visit to Bloomington even bigger in Week 9 as the Indiana Hoosiers host the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Both teams are firmly in the Big Ten title chase with Minnesota featuring a 5-2 record. Meanwhile, Indiana’s coming off its first national championship in January, and they’re following it up with a 7-1 start in 2026.

The popular ESPN college football program’s last visit to Memorial Stadium came back in 2024, when the Curt Cignetti era began at Indiana. The Hoosiers enter the weekend riding the high of beating Michigan in a challenging overtime contest.

Minnesota and Indiana face off at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS with the Big Ten rivals hoping to move a step closer towards the conference championship game.

MORE: ESPN ‘College GameDay’ guest picker for Week 9 announced: Minnesota vs. Indiana

Best signs from Bloomington in Week 9

Aight, everybody wish Coach a happy birthday 🎂 https://t.co/XkW1o5M6uo

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 31, 2026

The messages aren’t always wholesome, but Indiana certainly recognizes a college football legend with this one. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s birthday happens to fall on Halloween, and the crowd is giving the legend his flowers.

Generational trash talk. Literally 😭 https://t.co/uQHLipK9wJ

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 31, 2026

In some cases, the trash talk goes back decades. Minnesota fans will keep the receipts if they win.

“To defeat the gopher, you must know the gopher.” https://t.co/thm8ioMQeK

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 31, 2026

It appears the Hoosiers are going gopher hunting ahead of Saturday’s meeting.

Pete Thamel delivers the scoops as Buzz Lightyear for a Halloween edition of ‘College GameDay’ in Bloomington. "The goal for Joey McGuire, guys, is to go TO INFINITY AND BEYOND for the Texas Tech offense." 🏈🎙️🚀🎃 https://t.co/zI0gFE1JsQ

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 31, 2026

ESPN’s Pete Thamel is getting in on the Halloween fun after showing off his Buzz Lightyear costume.

Elite WRs scare Gophers secondary

The call is coming from inside the secondary 📞 https://t.co/LIjb3owdZ9

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 31, 2026

Minnesota’s likely going to have their hands full with not one, but two elite wide receivers to deal with. Indiana’s star WR duo of Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker are expected to be first round picks in the 2027 NFL Draft.

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Source: Yahoo Sports