Indiana State @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2007 ) Indiana State 7, Indiana 55

Indiana took its lumps in coach Kevin Wilson’s first season at the helm, losing its last nine. The Hoosiers did play 32 redshirt or true freshmen, the most in the country, and that experience should help in the future. Indiana must be ready for its opener Saturday against a dangerous Indiana State squad, ranked 23rd in the Sports Network’s preseason FCS poll. The Hoosiers have a chance to have a good offense, but they had one of the worst defenses in FBS in 2011, allowing 37.3 points per contest. Indiana’s run defense better be good against the Sycamores’ Shakir Bell, who rushed for 1,670 yards and 14 touchdowns a season ago. Bell has been hampered a bit by a neck injury, but is expected to play.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: None

ABOUT INDIANA STATE (2011: 6-5, 4-4 MVC): Bell, who averaged almost 152 yards rushing per game, will be the focal point for the offense again. He will need players to step up around him, with last year’s starting quarterback and top two receivers gone. Western Michigan transfer Mike Perish is expected to take over at quarterback and Donald Spencer (459 yards, team-leading six touchdowns) is the leading receiver among returnees. The Sycamores could have a strong defense, keyed by All-American defensive end Ben Obaseki and linebacker Aaron Archie (122 tackles in 2011).

ABOUT INDIANA (2011: 1-11, 0-8 Big Ten): Wilson, the former offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, is building a team that can score. Wilson added former Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, whose Wildcats averaged 465 yards per game last year. Tre Roberson became the first freshman quarterback to start at Indiana a year ago. The former Mr. Football in Indiana passed for 937 yards and ran for 426. Running back Stephen Houston, who rushed for 802 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago, also returns. Top receiver Kofi Hughes was suspended one game for violating team rules. The Hoosiers’ offensive line is experienced. Wilson added several junior college transfers to help improve the defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Indiana is 9-1 in its last 10 home openers – two of them against Indiana State (2007, 2003).

2. Indiana State has won 12 games the last two seasons, one less than it did the previous eight.

3. The Hoosiers gained 1,374 yards rushing in league play last year, their most since 2001.

PREDICTION: Indiana 24-17