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Indiana validates 6-0 start with first-half trouncing of Nebraska

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

Indiana is for real, folks.

The 16th-ranked Hoosiers opened their debut season under coach Curt Cignetti with a 6-0. However, because of the schedule — 112th in the country, per FPI — there were concerns about whether Indiana could take that next step up in competition and continue rolling. The first half of Saturday’s game against Nebraska provided a pretty clear answer.

Indiana took a 28-7 lead into the locker room. The Hoosiers outgained Nebraska 343-133 in the first half. Kurtis Rourke carved up the NU secondary and helped IU to a 9.3 yards-per-play average.

With a 7-0 first quarter, Indiana’s defense extended its run of scoreless opening frames to 7 games. IU is outscoring opponents 80-0 in the first quarter this season. And, barring something unforeseen in the second half, the Hoosiers are on their way to making it 7 straight games without trailing at any point.

After Nebraska, Indiana will face Washington, Michigan State on the road, and then Michigan. The Hoosiers play Ohio State in Columbus on Nov. 23. They close the season with Purdue at home on Nov. 30.

It’s entirely possible Indiana is 10-0 when it travels to Ohio State. An 11-win season is very much on the table. Cignetti will have his team believing a 12-win regular season is possible.

Assuming Indiana takes care of business in the second half, the Hoosiers will become a very popular bet to make the College Football Playoff. In fact, that conversation is already starting.

Here’s some of the reaction to Indiana’s first-half domination of the Huskers:

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.