Virginia @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 9, 2017 ) Indiana 34, Virginia 17

Virginia will try to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012 when it visits Indiana on Saturday evening. The Hoosiers are also coming off a season-opening win after earning a 38-28 road victory over Florida International last week.

Indiana fell behind 7-0 early but responded with three straight touchdowns and held on the rest of the way for the victory. “We've got a little confidence now. We've played one. And now we're ready to get rolling and get this thing going," Indiana quarterback Peyton Ramsey told reporters after throwing for three touchdowns. The Cavaliers are coming off a 42-13 win over FCS foe Richmond where junior college transfer quarterback Bryce Perkins stole the show. The dual-threat threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 108 yards and two more scores.

TV: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, BTN LINE: Indiana -6.5

ABOUT VIRGINIA (1-0): Perkins threw an interception on his first offensive series but responded with a 36-yard touchdown run 20 seconds later and proved to be difficult to stop for the rest of the evening. He seems to have developed instant chemistry with Olamide Zaccheaus as the halfback caught six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. The Cavaliers also held Richmond to just 225 total yards and two field goals.

ABOUT INDIANA (1-0): While Ramsey flashed, Indiana was unable to score on the ground as freshman running back Stevie Scott mustered 70 yards on 20 touches. The rushing attack is already dealing with adversity, as 2017 leading rusher Morgan Ellison remains suspended indefinitely and Cole Gest was lost for the season when he tore his ACL in the opener. Senior safety Jonathan Crawford forced a fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown against FIU, but he’ll have a much more difficult challenge on Saturday in trying to contain Perkins.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Indiana has won 14 of its last 16 home openers and 12 of its last 13 non-conference regular-season games.

2. The Hoosiers had three takeaways against FIU and have forced at least two turnovers in three of the last four contests.

3. Last weekend was the first time Virginia held an opponent without an offensive touchdown since 2013.

PREDICTION: Indiana 38, Virginia 35