Akron @ Indiana preview
Memorial Stadium "The Rock"
Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2009 ) Indiana 38, Akron 21
After two easy wins to start the season, Indiana is looking for a third before beginning Big Ten play next week.
The Hoosiers, who are 2-0 for the seventh straight season, host Akron (0-3) on Saturday night.
Indiana was picked to finish near the bottom of the conference, but has put up big scores in its first two games. The Hoosiers defeated visiting Towson 51-17 in their opener and rolled past Western Kentucky 38-21 on the road last week.
Senior quarterback Ben Chappell is coming off one of the best games of his career against the Hilltoppers. He completed 32-of-42 passes for a career-high 366 yards and three touchdowns. Chappell also ran for a score and was named Big Ten Player of the Week for his performance.
It's obvious that if the Hoosiers are going to move up in the Big Ten, Chappell must have a big season, and so far he has produced. He has played well in both games, completing 48-of-65 passes for 548 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.
Receiver Damarlo Belcher had 10 catches last week. Freshman tight end Ted Bolser has caught a touchdown pass in each of the first two games and has six receptions for the season.
This will be the Hoosiers' last chance to get ready for the conference schedule. Michigan visits Bloomington next week.
Akron was picked to finish last in the Mid-American Conference East Division, and so far that prediction looks accurate. Akron has been outscored, 114-50 this season.
The Zips opened with a 29-3 loss to Syracuse, a game they were never in despite playing at home. That was followed by an embarrassing 38-37 home loss to Gardner-Webb - an FCS school - in overtime.
Akron was blown out 47-10 at Kentucky last week. The game was tied 3-3 in the second quarter, but the Zips allowed the Wildcats to score on seven consecutive possessions.
As has been the case all season, Akron couldn't generate much offense against the Wildcats. The Zips managed 46 yards of total offense in the first half and only 79 yards through three quarters.
Akron has had problems both running and throwing the ball. The Zips gained 67 yards on the ground on 37 attempts against a Kentucky defense that had problems stopping the run all season.
The passing game hasn't been much better. The Zips are averaging 127 yards through the air and quarterback Patrick Nicely has struggled. The sophomore has completed only 30-of-75 passes for 333 yards.
The schedule won't get any easier for the struggling Zips next week when Northern Illinois, the favorite to win the MAC West title, visits.
The teams met last season in the first game at Akron's at InfoCision Stadium, with the Hoosiers winning 38-21.