Overview
- Indiana enters 9-0 and 6-0 in the Big Ten with the nation’s top scoring offense at 46.4 points per game and Heisman-contending quarterback Fernando Mendoza leading a balanced attack.
- Penn State sits 3-5 overall and 0-5 in league play after five straight losses, with interim coach Terry Smith guiding freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer following Drew Allar’s season-ending injury.
- Kickoff is noon ET on Saturday in University Park, where Penn State leads the series 25-2 and is unbeaten at home against Indiana.
- Previews highlight a matchup edge for Indiana’s run game against a struggling Penn State rush defense, while IU’s defense ranks among the best nationally against the run.
- Terry Smith has vowed more vertical passing and tempo in the ground game, but most staff predictions and models project an Indiana win, with at least one betting analysis backing Penn State to cover the spread.