Indiana Football Game Preview: Rutgers – key storylines, injury report, how to watch

Indiana football returns home for a Homecoming matchup with Rutgers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on Big Ten Network with a noon kick time.

The Hoosiers will be looking to get their first win in the Big Ten this season as they currently sit just 0-3 in conference play this season. The Hoosiers will also be looking to bounce back after yet another embarrassing loss on they year with last week’s beatdown from Michigan, 52-7.

Rutgers comes 2-2 on the year in the Big Ten with one more win away from being bowl eligible.

Saturday marks the 110th Homecoming Game for the Hoosiers. Indiana owns a 45-58-6 record in front of the Homecoming crowd.

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

Key Storylines

Who is the starting QB? 

Here we go again. Who is the starting quarterback for Indiana football?

Week 8 of the college football season, Indiana is right back to square one on deciding who the starting quarterback will be for the Hoosiers. After naming Tayven Jackson the starting quarterback heading into week three, the redshirt freshman would show struggles which ultimately would lead to him being benched for Brendan Sorsby in the Maryland loss. Then in the Michigan game, there was a quarterback rotation that was just utterly confusing.

According to the Tom Allen, there was a plan for this unique QB rotation last game.

“Yeah that was the plan. We were going to play Tayven the first two series then play Brendan the third and fourth series and that’s what we did,” Allen said postgame. “Then just kinda see who had the hot hand and see who was playing best.”

Neither Jackson nor Sorsby showed any clear lead as to who should be the starting quarterback. If that is not questionable enough, throw in returning QB Dexter Williams now who was dressed in the game at Michigan and available to play…does he play a factor in this?

No matter who the starting QB if for Indiana, Tom Allen alleges that this will be the final time they make a QB decision this season. Will that be the case, only time will tell.

“We’ll make a decision (this week), and just bottom line is, as you go through and you look at the changes we wanted to make on offense — obviously made a major change a week ago with our staff — and just want to be able to do a great job of moving us down the field, scoring points. And that continues to be the goal,” Allen said on Monday. “Obviously did some good things. Both of them did good things on Saturday. Both of them made some mistakes. But it’s about protecting the football. It’s about running the offense and being able to be effective with that.

Does this team have the will to fight? 

This Indiana football team’s will to fight has officially become a major concern with back-to-back blowout losses. It seems as though after Indiana throws a big punch in the first quarter, they fold almost instantly after the opposing teams start throwing their first punches.

The inability for Indiana football to put a complete game together needs to be fixed moving forward if they want to try and save their season. The defense, who has arguably been the best side of the ball for the Hoosiers this season, may put up a fight at the start but quickly run out of gas due to the offensive struggles.

For Indiana to sustain a fight throughout an entire game, it starts on the offensive end of the ball. With the change at offensive coordinator for the Hoosiers, fans are hoping Rod Carey can help that fight be longer.

“Got off to a good start, which was definitely a positive…We were not able to sustain that,” said Tom Allen. “Had the ability from our offensive line as some individuals played really well. Want to see that group collectively improve and get more production out of our throw game so we can continue to put more pressure on the defense.”

“So I thought we made some positive strides. Obviously not good enough. Obviously not the standard. We’ve got to be able to be better.

Indiana needs a win in the worst way possible

Indiana football is sitting at just 2-4 on the year while still winless in the Big Ten. With only 6 games remaining on the season, the Hoosiers have dug themselves a “must-win 4 games” hole if the Hoosiers want to turn this thing around and make a bowl game.

Indiana needs to win this game in the worst way possible in order to try and save this season. With it being homecoming this Saturday, there is no better chance for Indiana football get their first win of the season.

Rutgers will not be an easy task, however. The Scarlet Knights have really blown out expectations this year sitting just one win away from being bowl eligible. However, they have shown flaws at times this season that Indiana football can attack. You also throw in the fact that Indiana gave Rutgers their first Big Ten in a long time, so there has to be some pride on Indiana’s side to get some revenge here.

The time is now for Indiana turn their season around. A loss here, that sliver of hope fades away quickly.

Related: Indiana football still looking for answers at quarterback as QB rotation continued against Michigan

Matchup History

Saturday will mark the 10th meeting between the two programs, with all of them as members of the Big Ten Conference. The two program’s first met in Piscataway, New Jersey, in 2014 – Rutgers first season in the Big Ten – and the first meeting in Bloomington, Indiana, followed in 2015.

Rutgers’ addition to the Big Ten Conference prompted the Big Ten’s East/West Division format and the two teams have played every season since 2014. Overall, Indiana leads the series, 5-4, with each team winning twice in Bloomington.

It has been a series of streaks, with Rutgers winning the first two meetings, before Indiana reeled off five straight victories from 2016-2020. The Scarlet Knights have won last two meetings, including a 2021 win in Bloomington.

Quick Hitters: Early breakdown and initial thoughts on Rutgers

Injury Updates

Indiana

QB Dexter Williams II: After missing every game this season so far, Williams was dressed and available for Indiana at Michigan. He is expected to be dressed and ready for the Rutgers game.

RB Josh Henderson: Is expected to practice this week, per Tom Allen. Status for game is TBD.

RB: Chris Turner: Is expected to practice this week, per Tom Allen. Status for game is TBD.

WR EJ Williams: Has missed the last month with wrist injury. Status is TBD

DB Jamier Johnson: Missed last two weeks with an undisclosed injury. Status is TBD

Rutgers

DL Rene Konga: Undisclosed Injury. Status is TBD

Watch: Tom Allen looks back at Michigan loss, discusses ongoing QB battle

Quick Hitters

Who?: Indiana (2-4, 0-3 Big Ten) vs Rutgers (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten)

When?: Saturday, Oct. 12 | Noon ET

Where?: Memorial Stadium (Bloomington, Ind.)

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Indiana Hoosiers Sports Network

Spread: Rutgers is a 5-point favorite via DraftKings SportsBook

SEE ALSO: Indiana Football vs Rutgers: Key players, notes and opening spread

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