Indiana has spent the first two weeks of the season looking like a team that barely has to open the playbook to put people away. The Hoosiers have already topped 50 points in both games, and Curt Cignetti and Mike Shanahan still haven’t seemed to ask much of the offense beyond the basics. Against Howard, Turbo Richard and Lee Beebe both went over 100 rushing yards, while Charlie Becker kept doing what he’s been doing: finding the end zone at a near-automatic clip.
Western Kentucky doesn’t look built to slow that down.
The Hilltoppers have been leaking points in a hurry. Nevada hung 49 on them in Week One, then Georgia dropped 70 in Athens.
After two games, Western Kentucky is giving up 489.5 yards per game and 59.5 points per game. The numbers on the ground are just as ugly, with Nevada averaging 7.7 yards per carry and Georgia following with 6.7.
That sets up a Saturday afternoon where Indiana’s rushing attack should keep rolling and, just as important, keep building confidence.
The Hoosiers’ passing game was wildly efficient against Howard - six touchdowns on nine completions is hard to argue with - but there were also some rough edges. Josh Hoover, the transfer quarterback from TCU, appeared to lock onto his first read too often and passed up a couple of open throws while trying to force deep balls.
Against a stronger opponent, those kinds of mistakes can turn into turnovers. How the staff cleans that up during the week will be worth watching.
Western Kentucky’s offense, meanwhile, hasn’t looked like the kind of unit fans have come to expect under Tyson Helton. The Hilltoppers managed only 14 points against Nevada and were held to six against Georgia until the fourth quarter, when backup quarterback Brock Glenn helped them add two touchdowns.
Starter Rodney Tisdale Jr. has gotten off to a rough start, and it would not be a shock if Glenn gets the call against Indiana. He ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia, but the passing game - usually a WKU strength - has been largely broken.
Indiana’s defense handled Howard without much trouble, and this matchup should provide a clearer test. Still, North Texas putting up 44 points in a dominant win over UNLV may ease some of the early concern around that unit. Another solid performance on Saturday would fit the script.
Since Curt Cignetti arrived in Bloomington, Indiana has led the country in wins by at least 30 points. The Hoosiers are once again heavy favorites here, and another blowout feels like the most likely outcome as they keep sharpening things ahead of Big Ten play.
In Other News...
Indiana Suddenly Has A Real Opening In The Big Ten Race
Week 2 in the Big Ten brought a little more clarity and a lot more chaos, and Indiana had to like what it saw from the rest of the league. Ohio States collapse after building a strong start against Texas, Oregons second straight stumble after its earlier loss, and Michigans defense holding up against Oklahoma all fed into a race that suddenly feels less tidy than it did a week ago. USC also kept building momentum behind quarterback Jayden Maiava, another reminder that the leagues top tier may be deeper and less predictable than expected.
For Indiana, the value in that disorder is obvious. The Hoosiers do not need the Big Ten to get easy, but they do need the field above them to keep taking turns giving ground, and that is exactly what the opening stretch delivered. With the conference already showing signs of volatility and some of its biggest names still sorting out who they are, Indiana can see a path to mattering in a race that looked more crowded than competitive just days ago. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana's Defensive Rotation Just Put A New Spotlight On Its Depth
Indiana leaned heavily on its defensive depth in the 55-0 win over Howard, and the snap counts told the story just as much as the scoreboard did. The Hoosiers spread the workload across a long list of contributors, with Mario Landino and Chiddi Obiazor standing out among the pressure players and Rolijah Hardy turning in the kind of splash play that can change the feel of a game in a hurry.
What makes the rotation worth watching now is how many different pieces were involved, including freshmen and players still chasing more eligibility. Early in the season, that kind of distribution can be a luxury if everyone stays productive, but it can also become a real evaluation tool as Indiana learns who can hold up once the competition tightens and the game plans get more demanding. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Waits On Court Fight That Could Cost Two Key Veterans
Indiana football is still waiting on the legal wrangling that could shape the rest of its season, with the eligibility case involving veterans Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt ending in court Wednesday without a ruling. The two players are challenging the NCAA over its five-for-five eligibility rule, and the absence of a decision leaves the Hoosiers in a holding pattern as the week moves toward Saturdays game.
The temporary restraining order that had allowed Daley and Wyatt to keep playing has now expired, which means they are ineligible unless the judge acts before the weekend. Attorneys have until Thursday to submit final documentation, but for now Indiana is left watching the calendar as much as the depth chart, hoping the legal process catches up in time to avoid losing two experienced pieces. [Read more 🡒]