IU vs. Ohio State football: What you need to know about the really big game

• Ohio State at Indiana, 8 p.m. Thursday, ESPN

This is a huge game on a lot of levels, featuring a rivalry heightened by the return of former IU coach and now Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, a visit from ESPN’s “College GameDay” show and a sellout crowd. On the downside, the game also confronts fans with a new security policy and possible traffic jam. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of the big event.

'College GameDay'

ESPN’s flagship college football pregame show makes its first-ever visit to IU on Thursday when the Hoosiers open the season against Ohio State, which is ranked No. 2 in the nation. The basketball version of the show has come to IU multiple times, but this is a first for football. The two-hour special starts at 6 p.m. The game starts at 8 p.m.

ESPN is offering six (6!) other ways to view the game beyond the main broadcast on ESPN. They are:a “homers" broadcast by Dan Dakich on ESPNU, Coaches Film Room on ESPNews featuring former coaches, a view of the entire field on ESPN3, a Skycam view on ESPN3, a graphics view on ESPN3 featuring stats and media reaction, and a split-screen view on ESPN Goal Line.

Try it all out, but come to IndyStar.com for a live blog and follow IndyStar’s IU Insider Zach Osterman on Twitter for expert insight: @ZachOsterman

Kevin Wilson’s return

Wilson was IU’s coach for six seasons, until he resigned under pressure in December 2016. Thursday night, he’s expected to be calling Ohio State’s offensive plays from the press box during Tom Allen’s debut as Indiana coach.

>>See what IU’s new coach has to say about Wilson’s return. 

>>Here’s the backstory on Wilson’s departure. 

Two things that might slow you down

New security rules: Fans will have to walk through metal detectors and most bags will be prohibited. What’s allowed: a clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a clear 1 gallon plastic freezer bag or a small, not-clear bag no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. No fanny packs, backpacks, mesh bags or plastic bags with patterns on them, are allowed.

IU's website says it has taken these steps to ease any delays that heightened security and a capacity crowd might cause: "Additional ticket scanners have been purchased, gameday staff has been substantially increased, limited gates will be open at 5:30 PM, and systems have been tested several times to make sure that fans are able to make their way to their seats as easily possible on gameday."

>>More stuff is banned; see the full list of banned items here, along with some exceptions.  

Traffic: If you’re driving south from Indianapolis, IU athletic director Fred Glass has some advice: Leave early and consider bypassing State Road 37. Road construction related to the I-69 expansion project down SR 37 — the most direct artery from Indianapolis to Bloomington — has caused significant lane closures south of Martinsville, with much of the highway narrowed to one lane.

IU Athletics staff drove three separate recommended alternate routes, mapping them out for time:

>> State Road 67 south to Spencer, then State Road 46 east into Bloomington: 80 minutes.

>> I-65 South to Columbus, then State Road 46 west into Bloomington: 80 minutes.

>> I-70 west to U.S. Route 231, then south on 231 to Spencer, then State Road 46 East into Bloomington: 1 hour, 45 minutes.

>>See a map of all four routes

>>And here are some parking rules at IU for this game

Extra points

Read the best IndyStar content about the game to be the brightest fan in the stands or on the couch:

 >>Gregg Doyel: Biggest IU football game in 50 years  

>>Zach Osterman: Wherever Tom Allen goes, improvement follows 

>>Osterman: Best- and worst-case scenarios for IU football in 2017