Navy @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 20, 2012 ) Indiana 30, Navy 31

Indiana had one of the top offenses in the Big Ten Conference a year ago, but the Hoosiers also were unable to stop anyone on the way to a fifth consecutive losing season. Among the many schools to expose that defensive ineptitude was Navy, which erased a nine-point deficit in the final 5 1/2 minutes to knock off visiting Indiana last October. The Hoosiers, fresh off a 73-35 dismantling of Indiana State, will be seeking payback when they host the Midshipmen on Saturday.

Even though Navy is playing its season opener, Indiana coach Kevin Wilson believes his team is in a more difficult position as it prepares for the Midshipmen's complicated triple-option offense. “In my opinion, this is the most difficult team we play,” Wilson said. “The reason being, everything we do defensively, throw it away and don’t do it again." Navy is coming off an 8-5 season and has made nine bowl appearances in the last 10 seasons.

TV: 6 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Indiana -13.

ABOUT NAVY (2012: 8-5): Keenan Reynolds, who orchestrated the Midshipmen's first victory over a Big Ten opponent since 1979 when he threw the winning TD pass with 2:02 to play versus Indiana, was only the third freshman quarterback to start for Navy. Junior fullback Noah Copeland is the leading returning rusher for a team that amassed an average of 278.5 yards on the ground last season to rank No. 6 nationally. Inside linebacker Cody Peterson and defensive end Evan Palelei head a defense that features a pair of returning starters at cornerback in Parrish Gaines and Kwazel Bertrand.

ABOUT INDIANA (1-0): The Hoosiers have have yet to settle on a starting quarterback - Nate Sudfeld, Tre Roberson and Cam Coffman all saw time in the opener and could be in the mix again this week. Sudfeld ranks No. 2 nationally with a 244.7 passer rating after throwing four touchdown passes while speedy wideout Shane Wynn caught two scoring passes and returned a punt for a touchdown and running back Tevin Coleman rushed for 169 yards and a pair of TDs. The defense, which was shredded for 257 rushing yards by Navy last year, will receive its first true test since surrendering 163 points in a season-ending three-game skid in 2012.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Indiana won both home meetings with Navy - in 1985 and 1986.

2. Navy has 19 wins against BCS conference foes since 2003, the most by a non-BCS school in that span.

3. Wynn is the first player in school history with a receiving touchdown and at least one kick and punt return for scores in his career.

PREDICTION: Indiana 34, Navy 30