It’s not always been a masterpiece for the Hoosiers in the first 2 weeks of the season, but the results are what matters, and Indiana is 2-0.

It’ll try to keep the streak going at noon Saturday, when IU welcomes in Western Kentucky. The Hoosiers are a touchdown favorite against WKU.

Let’s take a look at 5 players of critical importance vs. Western Kentucky:

Connor Bazelak

Indiana is looking for a complete game from quarterback Connor Bazelak, a necessity if the Hoosiers are to keep up on the scoreboard against the fast-paced Hilltoppers, who are averaging 43.5 points per game through the 1st 2 weeks of the season.

Bazelak started slowly against Illinois in Week 1, when he was only 5-of-12 in the 1st quarter, then even more slowly vs. Idaho, when he 6-of-17 with an interception in the first 30 minutes. But the junior, a transfer from Missouri, has flashed his potential as well, throwing for 527 yards and 3 touchdowns in comeback wins over the Fighting Illini and Vandals. He could stand to be more accurate, however, as he’s hitting on less than 55 percent of his attempts with a couple interceptions.

It’s likely that IU won’t be able to throw away possessions against WKU, like it did in the 1st half against Idaho, because an early deficit vs. the Hilltoppers would likely be harder to overcome, given that the visitors can score quickly.

Shaun Shivers

Here’s an understatement: Shaun Shivers was better in Game 2 than Game 1. The running back had 155 yards and a touchdown vs. Idaho after having only 28 yards and a score against Illinois. The level of competition certainly is different — the Illini might have one of the better defenses in the Big Ten, at least if performances in their first 3 games are any indication — but Shivers has got to find a way to continue to be productive even against increased competition.

In their first 2 games, the Hilltoppers have allowed 251 total yards on the ground, but only at a 3-yards-per-attempt clip. It helps that they’ve led games early, taking early advantages against Austin Peay and Hawaii, and forcing their opponents to try to pass to catch up.

Indiana would like to slow the game down vs. the up-tempo ‘toppers and getting Shivers established early would help in that pursuit.

Tiawan Mullen

It seems Tiawan Mullen is close to a big one.

The former All-America cornerback, who missed much of last season with multiple injuries, is trying to re-discover the magic that made him one of the best in the Big Ten a couple years ago. The senior picked off a pass vs. the Vandals Saturday, only to see his turnover and 69-yard return called back because of a pass interference penalty away from the ball.

Mullen should get plenty of chances. Quarterback Austin Reed, who transferred from West Florida, which he had led to a Division II national championship in 2019, has 547 yards passing with 7 TDs in only 64 attempts, although he has thrown a couple of interceptions. His top target has big-play pop, as Daewood Davis is averaging 18.4 yards on his 11 receptions.

Charles Campbell

Senior place-kicker Charles Campbell is 28-of-35 during his career, including 3-of-4 this season, but he’s coming off perhaps the worst game of his career.

And in a game Saturday where every point is likely to matter, Campbell’s sudden dip — and IU hopes it was only a one-game slide — is something to monitor. Campbell officially missed only 1 field goal vs. the Vandals, a 32-yarder, but also yipped a 2nd, missing on a 28-yarder that was negated when Idaho was called for a rare defensive holding.

Campbell hit both of his attempts vs. Illinois.

Dasan McCullough

Through 2 games, coach Tom Allen couldn’t be any more happy with the performance of freshman Dasan McCullough, who is playing Indiana’s bull position, the hybrid linebacker/safety.

A former 4-star recruit from Bloomington South, and the highest-rated recruit to ever sign at Indiana, McCullough had 2 sacks in his 1st career start vs. Idaho and he had a half tackle for loss when coming off the bench against Illinois.

For a defense that felt good about its secondary and linebackers, at least veteran Cam Jones, but likely needed another pass-rusher, McCullough has filled the void, probably quicker than anyone could have predicted.