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ESSENTIALS
Who? Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-0, #68 S&P+) v. Indiana Hoosiers (2-0, #44 S&P+)
When? Saturday, 9/24, 3:30 PM, Bloomington, Indiana
Channel? Big Ten Network
Vegas? INDIANA -7.5
THE RUNDOWN
Indiana plays its final non-conference game of the season, on what should be a gorgeous afternoon in Bloomington. Last year, the Hoosiers went to Winston-Salem and built a huge lead before holding off a furious Wake comeback late in the fourth quarter. Today, the Hoosiers have a chance to sweep the home-and-home series and get a crucial win over a Power 5 opponent to build some confidence going into nine straight weekends of Big Ten play.
Wake Forest is making progress in year three of the Dave Clawson era and has even started out 3-0. Their defense is pretty good, and they already have a win over Duke. However, starting QB Kendall Hinton will be out of this game, as well as starting RB Cade Carney. The Hoosiers are banged-up as well, as WR Simmie Cobbs will be out most of the season after surgery, and Kevin Wilson has been coy about whether Dan Feeney lines up at right guard today.
Indiana has won 8 straight non-conference games, dating back to the Mizzou victory in 2014. If the Hoosiers can get a ninth, they'll be in good shape going into the meat of their schedule the next 3 weeks (MSU, at OSU, Nebraska).
Talk about the game here. Let's get to 3-0.
PREGAME READIN'
Roundtable! Are we scared of Wake?
Stay through the 4th quarter, IU fans!