The Indiana Hoosiers are off to their first 6-0 start since 1967 under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti.
On Oct. 19 — during Homecoming weekend with Big Noon Kickoff in town — the 16th-ranked Hoosiers will have their toughest test to date when Dylan Raiola and the Nebraska Cornhuskers come to town.
So far this season, the Hoosiers have relied on their high-powered offense averaging 47.5 — good for second in the nation — while quarterback Kurtis Rourke leads the conference with 14 passing touchdowns. However, this Cornhusker defense is giving up just 11.3 points per game — good for 11th in the nation.
In a battle of offense vs. defense, here is how the Hoosiers will prevail and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Ball Control
In Nebraska’s lone loss to Illinois, the Cornhusker defense failed to snag an interception for the first and only time all season. Quarterback Luke Altmyer was able to dissect their defense for an efficient 21-of-27 passing for 215 yards and four touchdowns.
While Nebraska was able to force two fumbles against the Illini, preserving control of the ball will be the difference between a win and a loss.
Through six games, the Hoosiers have just four turnovers — all coming against Maryland in their 42-28 victory in what has come to be their closest game to date.
Additionally, on the defensive side of the ball, the Hoosiers will need to disrupt Raoila and the Cornhusker offense.
Giving Railoa a clean pocket and time to scan the field, he will make big plays and pick apart a defense. It will be key to simulate pressure and force Railoa to make quick decisions in the pocket, which will inevitably lead to an error for the true freshman.
Indiana Defense Must Step Up
While far from disappointing, the Indiana defense has yet to force a turnover in their last two outings against Maryland and Northwestern after forcing seven in the first five matchups. Furthermore, the Hoosier defense has given up consecutive 300-yard games — including 400 against Maryland — after previously holding their first five opponents to under 260 yards.
With the Cornhusker defense being amongst the best in the country, giving Nebraska easy offensive yards is not a recipe for success. For the Hoosiers, holding them to under five yards per play and fewer than 25 points will give them their best chance to defend The Rock.
Another way to slow the Cornhuskers down will be to limit their rushing attack. While their rushing offense is far from elite, when it gets going they play better as a whole.
In their commanding 28-10 victory over Colorado, they rushed for 149 yards on 35 attempts which opened up their passing attack to have an efficient day with just seven incompletions. On the contrary, in their loss to Illinois, they were held to just 48 yards on 33 attempts.
Stop their run game and they will lose the pace of the game and force Raiola to beat you with his arm.
Indiana Cannot Let Up
Not that Cignetti has shown any signs of letting up when his team is winning big late in games, now is not a game to start doing.
Memorial Stadium will likely have its best attendance — potentially ever — and the national doubts about their AP Poll ranking are as loud as ever.
Nothing will silence the doubts and let their presence be known for the rest of the season than a dominant, blow-out win against their toughest opponent to date.
While the score will not be to the likes of their 77-3 victory over Western Illinois, if Cignetti can lead this team to a 42-13 type victory as they had over UCLA, then the sky is the limit for this undefeated squad.