No. 16 Indiana looks to extend its perfect season and milestone start with a visit to Nebraska

The Indiana Hoosiers already do I achieved more this season than anyone expected.

They will be eligible to play at the earliest possible point in school history. It's 6-0 for the first time since 1967 and the second time in school history. They are ranked 16th and are back in the rankings for the first time since 2020 AP Top 25 in three consecutive weeks. And they face Nebraska on Saturday, a sellout game for the first time this season.

Still, the Hoosiers feel there's still a lot of work to do after the first of two open weeks. So of course First-year coach Curt Cignetti and his players couldn't wait to get back to work.

“It's like Mike Krzyzewski said when he retired: his toughest opponent was human nature. Human nature, because it’s natural to feel good, this and that, things are great,” Cignetti said, referring to the former Duke men’s basketball coach. “But that’s not what this game is about when it comes to preparing and stepping between the white lines. You have to have some special qualities to be able to handle success.”

So far, the Hoosiers (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) have navigated their journey without a hitch.

They have surpassed the 40-point mark in a school-record five straight games. They have won all six games by a margin of 14 points or more. They're one of only two FBS programs that didn't fall behind all season, and they'll hopefully make the first of many appearances on national television.

But they've never played someone like Nebraska (5-1, 2-1) – yet.

The Cornhuskers are poised to crack the Top 25 for the second time this season this weekend after bouncing back from a home loss to Illinois with two straight wins. They are one of the stingiest defenses in the country. need a win to end a seven-year bowl drought and had two weeks to plan for Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke and the FBS's second-best offense (47.5 points).

Nebraska coach Matt Ruhle knows it will be a challenge.

“This is probably a top-10 football team,” Ruhle said. “They started the season unranked so maybe they won’t get what they deserve. Coach Cignetti did a great job. Their quarterback is absolutely fantastic, they have playmakers. They are good on special teams. It’s a great team.”

And A Hoosiers offense. Nebraska needs to slow down to have a chance of losing their share of the Big Ten lead.

“I think if we plan, we'll play well,” Nebraska linebacker Josh Bullock said. “Obviously it’s not a night game, but it’s a big game, so I think our guys will have the right attitude.”

Big time

The game will be the main attraction of Fox's “Big Noon Saturday,” a rarity for the Hoosiers. It will be the first time the Fox studio crew has visited Bloomington, Indiana, since October 8, 2022, when Indiana lost 31-10 to then-No. 4Michigan.

And while Cignetti begins this season with more than 50 new faces on Indiana's roster, he has a large group of players who have played in major college games, including 13 players who followed him from a James Madison team, which won its first ten games.

“I think it's more about us playing as well as we can and giving the crowd a reason to really get into the game,” Cignetti said. “I have a lot of confidence in this group. It’s an experienced group, guys with high character.”

Fresh test

Nebraska's improved defense was the main reason for its resurgence this season. Another reason: The appearance of first-year quarterback Dylan Raiola.

While his numbers aren't exactly outstanding – he completes 66.9% of his throws for 1,358 yards, nine touchdown passes and three interceptions – he has done more than enough to keep the Cornhuskers in the win column.

Raiola went 17 of 27 for 257 yards and a TD in his only other road game, a 28-10 win at Purdue. But this game will be a completely different challenge for Raiola.

“We love being the underdog,” he said. “A lot of people look at Nebraska as an underdog, and we like it that way. When we enter their stadium and their pitch it will be a great atmosphere and we are looking forward to giving our best and winning the game.”

Top 10

Ruhle's comment about the Hoosiers being a top 10 team isn't just talk.

Nationally, the Hoosiers rank in the top 10 in scoring, total offense (fourth, 515.7 yards per game), Passing attack (10th, 315.3 yards) and rushing defense (sixth, 83.8 yards) – one spot ahead of Nebraska's run defense (84.2).

Indiana also ranks 11th in scoring defense (14.83 points) and 21st in pass defense (171.8), with its lowest ranking in rushing offense (31st, 200.3).

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