Florida International @ Indiana preview

Following a 48-47 shootout win over Southern Illinois in its season opener, Indiana looks to stay unbeaten when it hosts Florida International on Saturday night. The Hoosiers racked up 595 yards of total offense against the Salukis but needed to survive a two-point conversion attempt with 40 seconds left to pull out the victory.

The Panthers also earned a one-point victory, though theirs had a little less offense, with FIU earning a 15-14 victory thanks in part to a blocked field-goal attempt in the final minute. The Indiana offense was running on all cylinders, especially when Jordan Howard had the ball as he averaged 7.3 yards per carry on his way to 145 yards and three touchdowns. That kind of ground attack is going to be key to keep pressure off quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who threw for 349 yards. FIU's defense continued to be one of the nation's best in its opener, holding UCF to 295 total yards, including 46 on the ground.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Indiana -7.5

ABOUT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (1-0): In his first two seasons as coach at Florida International, Ron Turner tried to build the confidence of his players, even during two campaigns in which the team went a combined 5-19. But the team’s victory over favored Central Florida may shows signs of a turnaround happening for the Panthers, though Turner doesn’t want his team satisfied with one victory. “It’s one game,” Turner told reporters. “Hopefully it will be (a sign of a turnaround), but it’s one game. These guys already believe, but it’s confirmation of why they believe.”

ABOUT INDIANA (1-0): Southern Illinois had no trouble moving the ball against the Indiana defense in the season opener, something that didn’t sit well with coach Kevin Wilson and his staff. As good as the offense played, the Hoosiers are not going to get wins giving up the yardage and points they did against the Salukis. “They came out with some stuff we hadn’t really seen, but you’ve got to be ready for that,” defensive end Nick Mangieri told the Indianapolis Star. “We’ve just got to get even better with our adjustments, and being able to make them on field.”

EXTRA POINTS

1. FIU sophomore QB Alex McGough was 29-of-38 for a career-best 76.3 percent completion percentage in the season opener, passing for a career-high 260 yards.

2. Indiana LB Tegray Scales will miss this week’s game as he finishes up a two-game suspension, while eight other players who missed the season opener with suspensions will return.

3. Hoosiers WR Ricky Jones had six catches for 186 yards against Southern Illinois after coming into the contest with career totals of four receptions for 60 yards.

PREDICTION: Indiana 27, Florida International 13