Indiana Football Game Preview: Nebraska – key question, injury report, how to watch

After a much needed bye week, Indiana football returns to the field this Saturday for their annual homecoming contest. The Hoosiers come into this game as the No. 16 ranked team in the country with a chance to improve to 7-0 this season with a possible win over Nebraska.

The Cornhuskers come into the contest 5-1 on the year looking to become bowl eligible with a win over Indiana football.

Kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Below is a full preview of Saturday’s contest.

Watch: IU football head coach Curt Cignetti joins The Pat McAfee Show

Key Question

Is this the most important game ever for the Indiana football program? 

While it seemed tough to imagine nearly two months ago, Indiana football is officially 6-0 heading into their homecoming matchup vs Nebraska. The scenario that all of Hoosier Nation wanted to see.

With so much at stake in this game, the question is clear: Is this the most important game ever for the Indiana football program? Honestly, it is tough to name another game that has this much weight to it that we have seen Indiana football be in over the years.

From this point forward, Indiana football is competing for a spot in the College Football Playoffs while also trying to win a Big Ten Championship. Every game is important from here on out and it starts with the Cornhuskers this Saturday.

The real part of Indiana’s season is now upon us. Curt Cignetti and his Hoosiers will be looking to make a statement with a win over Nebraska this weekend.

More: 3 Storylines to watch for when Indiana football hosts Nebraska in Week 8

Matchup History

Indiana football is set to host Nebraska for its homecoming game on Saturday afternoon at noon ET at Memorial Stadium (52,626) on FOX and will host the network’s Big Noon Kickoff show.

The matchup will mark the first time the two teams have played in Bloomington since the 2016 season and only the second time since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011.

Indiana football leads the all-time series 10-9-3, but Nebraska leads in games played in Bloomington, 3-2-1. The Cornhuskers won the last matchup, defeating the Hoosiers, 35-21, in Lincoln in 2022.

Related: ‘This is probably a top-10 football team we’re facing’: Nebraska faced with its toughest matchup yet — Indiana football

Injury Updates

Jailin Walker (LB) – Upper body injury sustained at Northwestern. Expected to play on Saturday.

Read: IU football expects Jailin Walker to be at ‘full speed’ vs Nebraska this weekend

Quick Hitters

Who?: #16 Indiana (6-0) (3-0 B1G) vs Nebraska (5-1)(2-1)

When?: Saturday, Oct. 19 | Noon ET

Where?: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind.)

TV: FOX

Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network

Spread: Indiana is a 6.5-point favorite and the over/under is set at 51 points per DraftKings SportsBook.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football running backs ready to stay ‘consistent’ by ‘running and winning as a collective’ as they face first major test against stout Nebraska defense

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