A pair of programs from the Big Ten do battle in search of a conference victory up in the Cornhusker State. The Indiana Hoosiers are on the road as they make the trip north to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers Saturday night. Indiana was drubbed 45-24 on the road by Cincinnati in their most recent contest last Saturday, failing to cover as a 16.5-point underdog. Nebraska had a bye week last week: they were clobbered 49-14 at home as an 11-point underdog by then-#6 Oklahoma back on September 17 in their first game since firing coach Scott Frost. In the all-time series between the schools, the Hoosiers own a 10-8-3 advantage, including a 38-31 victory on the road in the most recent matchup on October 26, 2019.
Indiana was unbeaten on the season before going on the road last week and getting pounded by Cincinnati. The Hoosiers dropped to 3-1 on the season with the defeat and stand 1-0 in Big Ten play going into this contest. Against Cincinnati, Indiana tied the game at three late in the first quarter only to give up a touchdown on the next play from scrimmage to trail 10-3. They never got even again, giving up four second quarter touchdowns to trail 38-10 at the half. You could turn out the lights at that point. Indiana was outgained 394-348 in total offense and turned the ball over three times, including a scoop-six, while forcing only one takeaway. Those numbers sunk the fact that the Hoosiers held a 27-15 edge in first downs and a slim 30:01 to 29:59 margin in time of possession.
The Hoosiers enter this game 28th in the FBS in passing offense with an average of 292.8 yards per game through th e air and they are 108th in rushing offense with 114.8 yards per contest. Indiana stands 83rd in the FBS in scoring offense as they put up an average of 28.8 points per game and they are 88th in scoring defense by allowing 29.2 points per contest. Connor Bazelak has completed 108 of 202 pass attempts for 1,171 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions this season. Shaun Shivers leads the Hoosiers in rushing with 69 carries for 320 yards plus three scores on the ground this season. Josh Henderson (36 carries, 159 yards, two TD) is the second back in the system. Cam Camper is the top receiver for the Hoosiers as he has hauled in 33 passes for 418 yards plus a score on the year. D.J. Matthews Jr. (17 receptions, 198 yards, two TD) and Shivers (11 catches, 65 yards, TD) are the only other players with double-digit catches for the Hoosiers this season. Charles Campbell has connected on all nine extra point attempts and eight of nine field goal tr ies with a long of 51 this season.