Indiana Football Game Preview: Charlotte – key questions, injury report, how to watch

Week 4 of the season is here and Indiana football is looking to improve to 4-0 and match their best start to a season this century with Charlotte coming to Bloomington.

The Hoosiers are coming off a massive blow out win on the road against UCLA in their first conference game of the season.

Saturday’s game will be the last non-conference game of the regular season, before Indiana football jumps into the heart of the Big Ten schedule.

The game will kick at noon ET and air on the Big Ten Network.

Below is the full game preview of everything you need to know about Saturday’s week 4 matchup.

WATCH: Coach Q&A: Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti previews Week 4 matchup vs Charlotte

Key Questions

Can Charlotte hang around with Indiana football like they did against North Carolina?

While UNC was able to pull away late, Charlotte kept the game within one possession in the third quarter. 

Curt Cignetti has emphasized discipline and focus, and Saturday’s game will be a good test.

Will Indiana football put the game away early like they did against Western Illinois and UCLA, or will they let Charlotte hang around like Florida International in week 1?

Taking care of business against inferior opponents is a sign of a good team, and Saturday will give the Hoosiers another opportunity to show they are as good as they have looked. 

Will Indiana football be able to exploit the run defense like other FBS teams have?

Charlotte’s run defense struggled against James Madison and North Carolina. In those two games, they allowed 231.5 rushing yards per game on 5.4 yards per carry. They also allowed five rushing touchdowns.

In their week three game against FCS school Gardner-Webb, they allowed just 50 rushing yards.

Indiana football will have a size advantage over Charlotte and will look to exploit that as they did against their previous non-conference games when they surpassed 200 rushing yards in both games. They have also totaled 12 rushing touchdowns in three games as a team.

Ty Son Lawton and Justice Ellison have led the dominant rushing attack, each with three touchdowns, and they will have another opportunity to build on their strong starts to the season. 

RELATED: 3 Storylines to watch for in Week 4 when Indiana football hosts Charlotte

Matchup History

Saturday’s game will be the first matchup in school history between Indiana football and Charlotte.

READ: ‘I don’t think that’s the best’: Kurtis Rourke has looked every part of a top tier quarterback for IU football — and he may not be done just yet

Injury Updates

K Derek McCormick (Questionable)

TE James Bomba (Questionable)

DL Ta’Derius Collins (Questionable)

WATCH: Player Q&A: Indiana football players Amare Ferrell, Miles Cross preview Charlotte

Quick Hitters

Who?: Charlotte (1-2) at Indiana (3-0)

When?: Saturday, Sept. 21 | Noon ET

Where?: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind.)

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network

Spread: Indiana football is a 28.5-point favorite and the over/under is set at 49 points per DraftKings SportsBook

SEE ALSO: ‘We’re not going to change the way we play’: Curt Cignetti comments on targeting calls that plagued IU football in week three win

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