No. 9 Iowa has yet another win in the bag in its quest to go undefeated, and the Hawkeyes currently sit at 8-0. That’s pretty good, and despite the national narrative that Iowa’s schedule is easy, Kirk Ferentz’s team has actually beaten some pretty good teams to get to this point. And Iowa fans are taking on the world to prove it.
Iowa vs. Indiana 2015: Start time, live stream, TV schedule and 3 things to know
Can Indiana steal a win in a trap game for Iowa?
The only way for Iowa to earn a College Football Playoff berth is to keep winning, and they’ll face perhaps their trickiest game on the rest of the schedule with a trip to Indiana. The Hawkeyes are starting to get healthier, with quarterback C.J. Beathard gaining mobility every week, starting running back Jordan Canzeri closer to a return and an almost fully intact offensive line. The defense has gotten better as the season has progressed, too, and it should make the Hawkeyes a threat to the high-powered Indiana offense.
The Hoosiers could scare the Hawkeyes, who have historically struggled against offensive-minded teams, but IU has to find a defense, which has been nonexistent since the first half of its opening Big Ten game against Ohio State. The Hoosiers are 0-4 in the Big Ten, and they gave up 55 points to Rutgers and 52 points to Michigan State before a bye week. Can IU come back refocused? It will have to in order to take down a sudden powerhouse in Iowa.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Iowa is favored by seven points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Black Heart Gold Pants for Iowa fans and The Crimson Quarry for Indiana fans.
Three big things to know
1. Can Indiana’s defense get back on track? The Hoosiers looked good against Rutgers, then gave up a massive comeback in the second half. It hung with Michigan State, but fell apart quickly. That can’t happen against a surprisingly explosive Iowa offense.
2. Can Iowa’s defense defend Nate Sudfeld and the high-powered IU offense? This might be the Hawkeyes’ biggest roadblock to 12-0.
3. Which injured Iowa players will be back? And will Beathard’s mobility improve? If the offense is clicking, it could be a rough day for the Hoosiers’ defense.
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