The ever-so-stylish Jenny Taft has brought the fall vibes to Champaign, Illinois, on Saturday. She proved once again why she’s not just one of the sharpest sideline reporters in college football but also one of the most stylish. Working the Illinois-Ohio State matchup for FOX’s Big Noon Saturday broadcast, Jenny Taft showed up courtside in a plaid chain jacket that was nothing but fall vibes. It captured the essence of autumn game day fashion. 

The brown and cream plaid pattern looked polished and professional for the television while giving off major cozy fall energy.  Reporters usually go for solid blazers or team colors for the sidelines, but Jenny’s choice of the classic plain pattern was both refreshing and perfectly on trend for October football. The jacket itself deserves a closer look because it was the one doing all the heavy lifting. The earth-tone plaid with shades of brown, cream, and gray in a checkered pattern fits in perfectly without being too distracting. This jacket was right from her aesthetic of classic pieces. The cut was tailored but not overly structured, hitting right at the bottom of the waist, creating a flattering silhouette that works especially for someone constantly covering the sidelines.

The best part about the outfit was how everything else was flowing smoothly, complementing her jacket. The jacket was paired with black pants that created a neutral base, which was not competing for attention with the busy pattern up top. Her blonde hair was styled in long and loose waves that went well with the gradient brownish tint finish of her jacket. And her makeup was natural and glowing. The simple earrings and rings added just a touch of shine without being too distracting, which made the overall look super polished.

Even the timing complemented Taft’s outfit. Illinois was hosting its annual “Hail to the Orange Out” game with a sold-out crowd at Memorial Stadium. The fall weather in Champaign was cool enough for layers but not freezing. Taft’s choice of a plaid jacket hit that sweet spot perfectly. It was seasonally appropriate and also a practical choice for her sideline duties of conducting interviews and dodging players and equipment. The earth tones also made her look different and stand out with Illinois’ orange and Ohio State’s scarlet and gray.

If you’re someone who has been looking to up their fashion game. Taft is a goldmine of ideas. She has basically become a masterclass in style over the years. Her Instagram is filled with practical yet stylish outfit choices that can be adopted for multiple events. She not only fit checks but also goes through the logic of why the fit would go in the given circumstance. She has genuinely carved out a niche by taking the visual side of the job seriously.

Portnoy fires up the Illini faithful

While Jenny Taft was keeping things polished and professional on FOX’s sidelines, Dave Portnoy was across the field stirring up chaos among an Illinois crowd that booed him. The Barstool Sports founder rolled into Champaign for Week 7 with his College Football Show, ready to watch his hated rival, Ohio State, take on Illinois, and the reception from Illini fans was exactly what you’d expect when a billionaire Michigan booster shows up at your stadium. 

The boos rained down on Portnoy during the pre-game segment, but instead of backing down, he leaned right into it with vintage Portnoy energy. “Let me tell you something right now, for all you people out here, start booing, I have the key to this game,” he fired back at the crowd before making his pitch: “Nobody’s more aligned with the crowd today than I am”. Then Portnoy walked to the front of the set and slammed an Ohio State helmet to the ground as the Illinois faithful erupted in cheers, temporarily forgetting they were supposed to hate the Michigan alum.​

But that wasn’t it. Portnoy went on ahead and launched a full-blown takedown of Ryan Day, saying, “I’m hoping Illinois, and I think they do have a chance to beat this team, because Ohio State, listen, if there’s one thing I’ve learned about Ohio State in the last 100 years, they’re cowards.” This had the Illinois crowd eating out of his hand. He continued, “So if you get them in a tough game, listen, they’re a big old bully. You punch him in the mouth.” OSU has already banned Portnoy from their stadium during the season opener, but he has enough opportunities to trash-talk his favorite college football program in this Big 10 slate and that’s what he did in Champaign.