Iowa Football: Big Ten Predictions for Week Seven

By Jeremy Karll | Oct 13, 2016

Nov 21, 2015; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz leaves the field after beating the Purdue Boilermakers at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa beat Purdue 40-20. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 7

iowa football

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

10 Nebraska Cornhuskers (-3) @ Indiana Hoosiers

Indiana’s 24-21 victory over Michigan State is not a fluke. The Hoosiers aren’t a top-25 team, but they’re a lot better than people thought they would be and continue to be vastly underrated. Sure, they lost to Ohio State by three touchdowns, but Indiana only trailed by seven points late in the third quarter.

Nebraska probably didn’t think much about Indiana prior to the season, although their bye week last Saturday happened to be a blessing in disguise. They enter this week’s matchup with Hoosiers refreshed and with an extra week of game planning against them. Plus, Indiana is coming off a hard-fought game against the second ranked team in the nation a week ago.

More from Iowa Football

Indiana will catch a couple of breaks, though. Nebraska’s leading rusher, Devine Ozigbo, and leading receiver, Jordan Westerkamp, will both be sidelined with an injury. That’s a big loss for the 34th ranked offense in the nation. Although, it does make this game a lot more interesting.

Nebraska has yet to face this type of adversity in 2016, so seeing how Tommy Armstrong Jr responds will be a big factor. The Cornhuskers need him to play like the star he’s become this season to beat Indiana. He will have to make even more plays with his legs and can’t turn the ball over.

On the other side of the ball, Indiana quarterback Richard Lagow has to protect the ball. He threw his seventh interception of the season a week ago and is now taking on another very good secondary. Nebraska has intercepted nine passes this season, including four players with two.

Both teams want to run the ball, though, and Indiana will likely rely on running back Devine Redding most of the game. Redding has averaged 4.7 yards per carry but has yet to find the end zone. This would be a huge week for the back to record his first rushing touchdown of 2016.

Nebraska has a lot to overcome this week. If Indiana doesn’t show signs of fatigue after a hard-fought game a week ago then they have a solid chance of pulling off the upset at home. Although, Armstrong has been too good this year and it seems like this is Nebraska’s year.

Prediction: Nebraska 28 Indiana 27

Home/Iowa Football