5 things to know about Nebraska’s huge game against Indiana

The Big Ten football season is just a few weeks old, but it’s still been a long time since Nebraska football entered a game with first place on the line.

It might only be the third conference game and the sixth game of the season, but this is the biggest Nebraska football game in 25 years.

Win this game and suddenly, this season is a lot different. Suddenly, a conference championship or a playoff spot seems possible. Not likely or guaranteed by any means, but possible for the first time truly since the start of the four-team College Football Playoff.

Nebraska was kind of a contender in 2016, the last time it started 5-0, until it all came crashing down against Wisconsin. That team got exposed. Hopefully, this Huskers squad is better.

Anthony Colandrea has thrown more touchdown passes through five games than any Nebraska quarterback in history, which isn’t that hard, considering it was a triple option offense until 2005.

Nebraska has not had a championship, outside of a division title, in the post-Tom Osborne era. There have been many games like the Indiana game — chances to end the ranked losing streak or two to announce to the country that Nebraska is back.

We know how they all went. At some point, things are going to change. Maybe that change will come on Saturday. Looking ahead, here are five things to know for Nebraska vs. Indiana

Nebraska vs. Indiana: Odds and how to watch

The Huskers are a 7.5-point underdog. The over/under is 48.5 points. The moneyline for Nebraska is +255 and -320 for Indiana. The game will be featured on Big Noon Kickoff. It will start just after 11 AM CST with Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt on the call. Huskers.com will have the radio broadcast.

The biggest game since No. 1 vs. No. 2

This is the first game between 5-0 teams at Lincoln Memorial Stadium since Nebraska beat Oklahoma 20-10 in the 2001 game. Eric Crouch had a famous touchdown reception, allowing the Huskers to win a defensive struggle. That earned them a trip to the Rose Bowl and a shot at the national title.

It’s hard to believe now that 5-0 Nebraska is unranked. That would have been unheard of back then. However, the Huskers can start to turn the tide with a massive victory on Saturday, the biggest since that fateful day in Memorial Stadium.

That game also kicked off at 11 AM CST and was on national television (ABC).

Two elite rushing attacks

Both teams are elite at rushing the football. Indiana averages 252 yards per game and 6.8 yards per attempt. The Huskers are averaging 238 yards per game, asd well as 5.8 per carry. Jamal Rule will be back on Saturday, too, after missing most of the past two games.

Colandrea rushed for over 100 yards against Maryland. Josh Hoover, the Indiana QB, isn’t involved as a runner. He’s got 17 attempts this season for 18 yards and one touchdown. Turbo Richard has 587 yards, leading the Big Ten. His 9.3 yards per attempt is also first in the conference. Lee Beebe is also averaging 104 yards per game.

Indiana has two backs averaging 100 yards per game behind one of the best offensive lines in the country. Nebraska is allowing 3.2 yards per attempt this season, but the run defense hasn’t truly been tested; it will be Saturday.

I would also expect a heavy dose of Colandrea in the running game for the Huskers.

Josh Hoover has been incredible

Playing quarterback behind a stellar offensive line, with a dominant run game, makes life easy. Hoover is making it look that way. He hasn’t made as many dazzling throws as the quarterback he replaced, but Hoover has 15 touchdown passes (leading the Big Ten) and zero interceptions. He’s the highest-rated passer in the league and has the highest adjusted yards per pass.

Indiana’s defense is elite, too

Indiana is allowing just 10.8 points per game. The Hoosiers are fifth in scoring defense. Indiana also has 15 sacks this season, and the Big Ten leader in sacks and tackles for loss, Tobi Osunsanmi leads the way. He’s got 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks; both are leading the Big Ten. Stephen Daley has been a beast, too, with four tackles for loss and three sacks.

Nebraska is averaging 43 points per game. The Huskers are averaging 244 passing yards and 231 rushing yards. We’ll find out just how elite this offense is on Saturday.

Good or bad, we won’t be wondering about this Nebraska football team after Saturday.

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