On Saturday, November 8 Penn State will host second-ranked Indiana at home, kicking off at noon. It is a battle of two programs heading in different directions this weekend when No. 2 Indiana heads east to take on what is left of Penn State.

The Hoosiers are on top of the college football world after checking in at No. 2 in the first edition of the College Football Playoff rankings. They also have a quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, who currently sits atop the odds board for the Heisman Trophy.

Penn State, on the other hand—well, the Nittany Lions entered the season ranked No. 2 and have played like “number two” for the last month. That led to the firing of James Franklin, and a season-ending injury to quarterback Drew Allar has not helped matters either. The Nittany Lions are 0-5 in Big Ten play and do not seem to have a whole lot left to play for.

Still, even though this does not feel like an even matchup, nobody should ever take a trip to Beaver Stadium lightly. It is still 100,000 people who are angry—even if they are angry at the home team.

Curt Cignetti and Indiana’s Run of a Season So Far

Indiana is off to a 9-0 start for the second straight season under Curt Cignetti, marking the only two 9-0 starts in school history. It is an impressive accomplishment that becomes even more noteworthy in the broader context of Indiana football.

Cignetti is only the third Big Ten coach in history to start 9-0 in each of his first two seasons at a school. The other two? Urban Meyer at Ohio State (2012–13) and Fielding Yost at Michigan (1901–02).

Penn State and Their Rocky Season

The Nittany Lions are 3-5 on the season after a 3-0 start. That 3-5 record is the worst any team has ever had after eight games when starting the season ranked in the top two of the AP Top 25. This five-game losing streak is also the longest ever by a preseason top two team. Things aren’t going well at all.

The One Thing Penn State Has on Its Side

The one thing Penn State can cling to this week is history. The Nittany Lions are 25-2 all-time against the Hoosiers, though the two teams did not play last year. Penn State dominated their time together in the old East Division and has never lost to Indiana in Beaver Stadium.

Indiana Offense vs. Penn State Defense

The Nittany Lions’ defense will be challenged yet again by an offense eerily like the Ohio State unit that put up 38 points last week. The Hoosiers’ offense is led by a top Heisman candidate at quarterback, two prolific receivers with bright NFL futures, and a rotation of talented running backs.

Fernando Mendoza has elevated Indiana’s offense after spending two years as Cal’s quarterback. The likely Heisman finalist is completing 72.3% of his passes with 24 touchdowns to four interceptions. All four picks have come in the last five games after he went interception-free in the first four. Mendoza can also hurt a defense with his legs, which should be a factor on Saturday given Penn State’s struggles against mobile quarterbacks.

Indiana also has two of the best receivers in the Big Ten outside of Ohio State’s dynamic duo of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Omar Cooper Jr. leads the team with 46 catches for 669 yards and eight touchdowns, while Elijah Sarratt is right behind him with 45 receptions for 609 yards and a team-leading 10 touchdown grabs. Mendoza often looks to Sarratt in key moments; his best performances came against Oregon, Illinois, and Iowa. Sarratt has been playing through injuries the past two weeks and is considered “day-to-day.”

The Hoosiers’ ground game has been set up nicely by a vertical passing attack that keeps defenders out of the box. Sixth-year senior Kaelon Black is enjoying his best season, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, while former Terp Roman Hemby has contributed 601 yards and five touchdowns. Hemby is often featured on passing downs and is another threat out of the backfield.

Penn State’s secondary did not keep Ohio State’s talented receivers in front of them last week—even with extra coverage help. If that problem persists, it will be a very long afternoon for the Nittany Lions’ defense.

Penn State Offense vs. Indiana Defense

Indiana may not be the top-ranked defense in the nation like Ohio State, but it is close in most categories. The Hoosiers rank third nationally in scoring defense (10.8 points per game), seventh in total defense (248.3 yards per game), and fourth in rushing defense (80 yards per game).

The overall infusion of talent on defense has transformed Indiana from a nice story in 2024 into a legitimate contender in 2025. The Hoosiers perform well at all three levels and have made exceptional strides along the defensive line, which has given opponents fits all season. Indiana generates pressure from all over the field in ways that confuse offensive lines and create breakdowns in protection. Seven players have at least 2.5 sacks this season.

Safety Louis Moore not only leads the team in tackles but also leads the nation with five interceptions. Cornerback Amare Ferrell is another key contributor, with three interceptions and a team-leading six pass breakups. The Hoosiers also boast a terrific linebacker group featuring Rolijah Hardy, Aiden Fisher, and Isiah Jones—all quick to the hole and reliable tacklers. Jones is especially dangerous off the edge and leads the team with five sacks.

Special Teams

Indiana kicker Nico Radicic has not missed this season, going 10-for-10 on field goals and 55-for-55 on extra points. His career long is 46 yards. Punter Mitch McCarthy is averaging 40 yards per punt in his first season at Indiana after three years as the starting punter for UCF.

What to Expect: Penn State vs. Indiana

Penn State struggled to stop the vertical passing game against Ohio State, and unfortunately for the Nittany Lions, they will be facing an almost identical offensive style this weekend. Do not be surprised if the Hoosiers exploit this area early to build a lead and keep their foot on the gas—something Curt Cignetti has done since taking over, proving that Indiana is far removed from the program that once spent decades in the Big Ten basement.

Ethan Grunkemeyer showed progress against a tremendous Ohio State defense, putting together some of Penn State’s best drives of the season. However, it will not be enough to keep pace with Indiana’s explosive offense.

Final Score Prediction: Indiana 45, Penn State 17
Kickoff: Noon ET on FOX