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Florida International-Indiana
Start Time: 8:00 P.M. ET, Saturday, Sept. 12
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana
TV: Big Ten Network
Streaming: Watch BTN
Radio: Florida International: here. Indiana: IU Radio Network; SIRIUS 136, XM 196
Records: Florida International 1-0, Indiana 1-0. First meeting between the two programs.
Live Stats: ESPN Gamecast
Betting Line: Florida International +7.5. Over/Under: 55.5.
Florida International Outlook: In a result that very few saw coming, the Golden Panthers took out in-state foe Central Florida 15-14 in week one.
FIU was solid on offense in gaining 391 total yards versus the normally very good UCF defense. Alex Gardner (15/75/1TD) was a solid asset on the ground in averaging 5.0 yards per carry on the day. Quarterback Alex McGough (29-38/260/1TD) completed 76.2% of his pass attempts with seven different players making a catch. Sophomore wide receiver Thomas Owens (11/78/0TD) led the team with 11 catches while Gardner also made five catches for 74 yards in the win.
The biggest surprise for FIU was the ability of the defense to slow Central Florida to only 14 points and 295 total yards on the day. Treyvon Williams (11 tkl, 1.5 tfl), Richard Leonard (10 tkl, 0.5 tfl), and Anthony Wint (10 tkl, 1 tfl) combined for 31 tackles for the Golden Panthers defense. Florida International ended the game with eight tackles for loss and two sacks versus Central Florida. There is a lot of talent on the FIU defense and if they can figure out how to continue to turn talent into production, they could be one of the tougher outs this fall.
Indiana Outlook: With nine players suspended for the season opener, the Hoosiers struggled but held on for a 48-47 week one win.
UAB transfer Jordan Howard (20/145/3TD) was excellent in his first game at Indiana with a 7.3 yards per carry average. Devine Redding (16/57/2TD) helped the offensive backfield combine for five rushing touchdowns on the day. Nate Sudfield (19-32/349/1TD) threw for an impressive 18.4 yards per completion on the day with eight receivers making catches in the win. Ricky Jones (6/186/1TD) and Simmie Cobbs (3/64/0TD) were the biggest beneficiaries of Sudfield's passing with both making catches of 40+ yards.
As excellent as Indiana was on offense, they were equally that bad on defense in week one. The Hoosiers gave up 659 total yards that included 12.8 yards per pass attempt and 5.4 yards per carry. The Salukis averaged 8.4 yards per play versus the Indiana defense. T.J. Simmons (11 tkl) led the way as three total players broke double digit tackles in the win. Nick Mangieri (11 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack) and Marcus Oliver (10 tkl, 2 ff) helped give the trio 32 total tackles on the day. Indiana will get a bit of a bump on defense with defensive linemen Darius Latham (22 tkl in 2014), Ralph Green III (19 tkl in 2014), and linebacker Greg Gooch (11 tkl in 2014) all sitting out the season opener due to suspension.
Prediction: This game is a matchup of two undefeated teams that took much different routes to week two. Florida International played their best game under head coach Ron Turner in beating in-state rival Central Florida. Indiana held on to beat FCS foe Southern Illinois 48-47 in a game that could have gone either way.
The biggest difference for this game is the returning of several suspended players on the Hoosiers side that will improve the team significantly. If the Golden Panthers can do what they did against Central Florida and make Indiana work hard for every yard they get, FIU could pull the upset. Indiana wins pulling away in the second half.