Nebraska at Indiana Game Preview, Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Okay, Indiana, it's been fun, you got your six wins and bowl eligibility, and now it's basketball season so.........
There's a chance this doesn't stop for a while -- a long while.
If the Hoosiers can beat the Huskers, they could go 9-0 with Washington to follow in Bloomington and a trip to Michigan State to follow.
Michigan and at Ohio State follow that, but for now, it's about beating Nebraska to be 7-0 for the first time since 1967. That team started 8-0 and ended up in the Rose Bowl.
Nebraska got over the loss to Illinois with a workmanlike win over Purdue followed by a 14-7 win over Rutgers that was better than it'll ever get credit for. With two weeks off, the Huskers should be ready with this game starting a run of three road games over the next four contests with Ohio State up next and USC in a few weeks.
Nebraska (5-1) at Indiana (6-0)
Saturday, October 19 - 12:00 PM (ET) - FOX
Why Nebraska Will Win
Indiana's offensive front has been great in pass protection, but it hasn't faced anyone who can bring the heat.
The Huskers have to get the pass rush going.
They're No. 1 in the Big Ten in sacks and tackles for loss, and they've cranked up the pressure a few notches with nine sacks over the last two games and nine tackles for loss in each of them after struggling to get into the backfield enough in the loss to Illinois.
Yes, Indiana has been wonderful, and yes, it's efficient enough to keep the fun going, but it has yet to play a team that's a lock to get to a bowl game. Nebraska is easily the best team it has faced so far, but .....
Why Indiana Will Win
.....the great team Nebraska beat is......Colorado?
The problem with beating Indiana right now is that you have to be almost perfect to do it. It's not like the team is more talented than anyone else, but it's playing well, there is talent there, and the team just isn't screwing up.
QB Kurtis Rourke is hitting the throws that are there, penalties aren't a major problem, and the offense has turned it over just four times.
Win third downs -- IU is No. 1 in the Big Ten in third down conversions -- control the clock, make tackles. It all seems so easy, but the Hoosiers are doing all of that game-in-and-game-out. And .........
What Will Happen
.....Nebraska has a slew of penalty issues, and there have been a few special teams breakdowns, but the team is tied with Indiana for the fewest turnovers in the conference.
The Huskers will play well throughout, but at home the Hoosiers will be too efficient. IU will have a ten minute run in the second half when it all breaks through.
Prediction
Indiana 30, Nebraska 24
Spread
Indiana is favored at home by 6.5 points. The Over/Under is set at 49.5 points.
