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Washington (4-3) at No. 13 Indiana (7-0)
Date: Saturday, October 26
Time: Noon ET
TV: Big Ten Network
Someone needs to come to my house and pinch me because every time Indiana plays this season it feels like I’m dreaming.
The Hoosiers literally have been doing everything right. They haven’t trailed once and have one of the nation’s deadliest offenses. And they now have ESPN’s “College GameDay” descending on Bloomington this Saturday after “Big Noon Kickoff” came to town last weekend.
This could be one of the best Indiana football seasons of all time. So at this point, I’m fully supporting the Hoosiers to cover whatever the number may be.
The pick — Indiana -6.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Look, I know losing quarterback Kurtis Rourke is a significant loss, and that is why the point spread dropped from 8.5 to 6.5. But fear not, hesitant Hoosier backers. The team is in more than capable hands with redshirt sophomore Tayven Jackson under center.
When his number was called after Rourke’s injury, Jackson completed seven of eight passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. As Larry David would say, pretty, pretty, pretty good. In three appearances this year, Jackson has thrown for three touchdowns and no interceptions on 12-of-18 passing.
Last season was rough for Jackson, who threw more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (two) in six games. However, with new head coach and Indiana football savior Curt Cignetti at the helm, I’m expecting a much more prepared and focused Jackson — much like the version who shined in last Saturday’s 56-7 home win over Nebraska.
And it’s not like IU doesn’t have a run game to lean on. The Hoosiers rank sixth in the country in rushing success rate and eighth in EPA per rush.
Washington ranks a subpar 62nd in the nation in opponent rushing success rate and is coming off a game in which it couldn’t handle Iowa’s run game. The Huskies surrendered 220 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns in a 40-16 road defeat.
While Indiana might not hit the 40-point mark like it has in six of its seven games this year, the offense is more than capable of moving the ball against Washington. The Huskies also have struggled to score against tougher teams on their schedule, failing to reach the 20-point mark in three of their last five games and not exceeding 27 points even once during that stretch. If they struggle to exceed 20 points on Saturday, it’s going to be a long day for them.
Cignetti has his team prepared week in and week out, and despite a new QB starting, I have little doubt he’ll have the Hoosiers ready at home once again.
Season record: 16-12, +3.75 units