Akron (1-2) at Indiana (1-2), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (BTN)
Line: Indiana by 17, based on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Collection file: Indiana leads 3-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Each groups try to even their data although Indiana’s mission appears extra crucial — if it hopes to make its first bowl recreation since 2020. Sweeping the non-conference schedule might have put them in place, however Saturday’s loss made ended these hopes. New Hoosiers QB Tayven Jackson will attempt to construct on final week’s sturdy second-half efficiency. The Zips are in search of a program-changing win. Akron has 10 wins victories since 2018 with its final over a Energy 5 foe in 2015.
KEY MATCHUP
Akron’s offensive line vs. Indiana move rushers Andre Carter and Aaron Casey. Carter, a switch from Western Michigan, and Casey, in his fifth season, have reworked the Hoosiers defensive entrance. They’ve slowed down two high-scoring offenses, No. 6 Ohio State and Louisville, and have mixed for 3 sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Zips have already got allowed 13 sacks and if that continues Saturday, this recreation might flip ugly early.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Akron: LB C.J. Nunnally. It hasn’t taken the junior lengthy to discover a match with the Zips. At 6-foot-3, 230 kilos, Nunnally posted back-to-back sacks on the primary two performs of his second recreation with Akron earlier than forcing a fumble that led to the game-winning landing rating agaisnt Morgan State. He added one other sack final week towards Kentucky.
Indiana: WR Cam Camper. The previous junior school star was off to a quick begin final yr, his first in this system, earlier than a torn ACL ended his season in mid-October. Whereas he’s nonetheless working his method again, he confirmed final week that he and Jackson have a connection. Might it’s a precursor to a giant recreation this week?
FACTS & FIGURES
Indiana has received every of the earlier three conferences towards Akron by double digits. … The Zips have misplaced 12 of their final 14.… The Hoosiers are 39-8-1 all-time towards Mid-American Convention applications. … Akron has misplaced eight straight video games towards Energy 5 applications since a 39-34 victory at Northwestern on Sept. 15, 2018. … Indiana’s protection is ranked among the many FBS’ high 40 in 4 totally different classes together with whole protection (298.3 yards, thirty eighth) and scoring protection (17.0 factors, thirty ninth). … For the second straight week, Hoosiers coach Tom Allen will attempt to break a tie for sixth all-time on the college’s profession victory checklist. He’s tied with the late John Pont at 31. Pont led the Hoosiers to the 1968 Rose Bowl, Indiana’s first and solely look.
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AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hulosb/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
