Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Indiana Hoosiers Predictions

Indiana has a path on the ground

Western Kentucky has allowed 280 rushing yards per game, according to The Washington Post / Associated Press preview. That gives Indiana a weakness to attack, though SPF's -44.5 spread requires the Hoosiers to win by at least 45 points to cover.

The same report puts Indiana at 2-0, averaging 53.5 points and allowing just 16 total through two games. Western Kentucky is 0-2. Those results favor an Indiana win, but two games don't establish how reliably the Hoosiers can clear this margin.

Quarterback roles remain unsettled

Western Kentucky coach Tyson Helton said Rodney Tisdale Jr. and Brock Glenn were expected to be ready after being dinged up and would probably both play, per The Washington Post / Associated Press. Tisdale started the first two games; Glenn relieved him in the first half against Georgia. Their expected availability doesn't settle who starts or how they'll split snaps.

The report also identifies Indiana running back Khobie Martin as injured without establishing his game status. That limits assumptions about which backs will exploit Western Kentucky's run defense.

Pass on the spread and SPF's 60.5 total. There's no demonstrated reason to trust Western Kentucky to stay within the number, and its unsettled quarterback usage makes its scoring contribution difficult to project.