Indiana will continue its road trip from one end of the conference to the other as they come fresh off a win in College Park against a previously ranked Maryland team. Now, IU heads to Lincoln to play the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska was also ranked early in the season, and many predicted them to finish in first in the Big Ten West. Now, for the second time in two weeks, Indiana enters the game with a strong chance at winning and looks to punch its ticket to a bowl game and a 6-2 record.

How to Watch: Indiana Hoosiers versus Nebraska Cornhuskers

WhoWeek 9: Indiana Hoosiers versus Nebraska Cornhuskers
When3:30 PM ET / Saturday, October 26, 2019
WhereMemorial Stadium – Lincoln, Neb.
TicketsFind the Lowest Ticket Prices on SeatGeek
WatchBig Ten Network
StatsLive Stats
ListenIU Radio Network
SpreadIndiana +2 / Over-Under 54.0

You can find the latest 2019 Indiana Football schedule (printable) here.

Getting to know Nebraska Football

Ranked 9th in our Week 9 Power Rankings, Nebraska has oscillated between pulling off victories against inferior opponents, such as South Alabama, NIU, and Northwestern, and suffering resounding losses against teams such as Minnesota and Ohio State. They have never really found their footing this season, which started with very high hopes and a preseason top 25 ranking. Each game is basically a must-win for Nebraska through the rest of the season. They still have to play Big Ten heavyweights such as Wisconsin and Iowa, while facing tough road tests against Purdue and Maryland.

Get to Know the Cornhuskers

Key Offensive Players

Nebraska is another team on the list of many in the Big Ten that have been facing quarterback difficulties. Adrian Martinez, the starting QB, may not see action again this week after having a left knee injury back in week 6. He entered the season as one of the Heisman Trophy frontrunners and has not lived to expectations thus far, due to inconsistent play from himself and his receivers.

Current QB Noah Vedral, a sophomore, has played in Martinez’s absence and struggled to find his rhythm in limited play. In two games, against Northwestern and Minnesota, he has gone 19-33 with 0 TDs, 0 INTs, and a QBR of 56.2. Cornhusker Nation will hope that Martinez returns to the field against IU, and some signs have pointed to that being the case, as he was seen in pads during practice this week.

RB Dedrick Mills and Martinez have split the Cornhusker rushing attack with around 350 yards apiece on the season off approximately 160 rushing attempts. Additionally, RB Maurice Washington, who had nearly 300 yards on 50 attempts, is not listed on the team roster against Indiana, but this is not related to a pending felony court case he has in California. Coach Scott Frost stated that he has not lived up to the standards set forth by the team. By himself, Mills can be just as productive, but with Martinez back in the lineup, Indiana will need to defend the dual threat that creates more rushing opportunities.

Additionally, leading Nebraska WR Wan’Dale Robinson left the game against Minnesota with a lower left leg injury in the second quarter. It is not known whether he is expected to play this weekend. He has been involved in practice but not confirmed to be full contact.

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Key Defensive Players

Nebraska has a history of having a strong defense, and this season started off appearing that way. Since, they have not lived up to Nebraska “Blackshirts” expectations. Despite this recent lack of production, they have the ability to turn the tide of a game and disrupt opposing offenses.

LB Mohamed Barry, the team’s leader in tackles with 60 over 7 games, captains the defense and was named last year’s defensive team MVP. He has started every game since the start of the 2018 season and was a 2018 Third Team All-Big Ten selection. His defensive prowess has led him to be named one of the 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy, which recognizes a player who made the biggest impact for his team both on and off the field.

Another defensive stalwart, CB Lamar Jackson has been an impact player for the Cornhuskers all season with his ability to disrupt plays. He has 11 PDs on the season thus far and use his insight to diagnose various plays. A senior, Jackson is a three-year starter, with two INTs this season and two last season.

CB Cam Taylor-Britt is not an easier target to go after either. He has just as many INTs as Jackson and 4 FFs on the season (the rest of the team combined has 5).

Week 9: What to watch for against the Cornhuskers

1. The return of Penix and/or Martinez?

Two of the Big Ten’s most electrifying and game-changing QBs could be on the sidelines this upcoming weekend. As noted earlier, Martinez was on various Heisman watch lists at the beginning of the year. He offers a dual threat approach to the game that the Hoosiers do not have and gives Nebraska a solid rushing attack that Mills likely cannot provide by himself.

Penix has been battling new injuries and was sidelined for the second time this season. He may be back on the field this weekend. Deemed a “game-time decision” by coach Tom Allen, Penix is viewed as the second- best QB in the Big Ten currently (behind Justin Fields).

The Hoosiers have a vastly better backup QB than the Cornhuskers. Peyton Ramsey and Penix have seen similar play time on the field due to Penix’s injuries, and Ramsey boasts a QBR of 154.8 to Penix’s 157.6. Either option give the Hoosiers a real chance at victory, while Nebraska may be more reliant on the return of Martinez.

2. Which Hoosier defense will we see?

Nebraska has numerous key players either confirmed or rumored to be out against Indiana, and these will likely have a large role in the eventual outcome of the game. Potential absences of Martinez, Robinson, and kicker Barret Pickering make it potentially easier for the Hoosiers, but will make preparation for the matchup more difficult.

Indiana struggled against Maryland last week in the first half, surrendering 21 points early in the game, and the Terps kept it close as a result of some big plays and mishaps by the Hoosier defense. Co-DC Kane Wommack recalibrated the defense the second half, only allowing 7 points and giving the Hoosiers a great victory.

Huskers OC (and former Colts WR) Troy Walters has admitted that the Hoosiers’ defensive line is one of the most stout and formidable the Cornhuskers have played this season, and they share the same aggressiveness as Tom Allen.

3. The elephant in the Hoosiers’ locker room

As many have been observant to note, the Hoosiers are one game away from a six-win season and a bowl berth. This has been a benchmark for the Hoosiers over this century, and Indiana has rarely reached this level. In fact, they have only reached a bowl game three times since 1993.