Week 6: Indiana at Minnesota

A game that would have been considered a yawner prior to the start of the season now offers plenty of appeal. Indiana is struggling, perhaps more than any other Big Ten team right now, but with the conference’s most dynamic weapon in the lineup (quarterback Kellen Lewis) it’s hard to imagine the Hoosiers will not be able to give the Gophers a stiff test this weekend.

But Lewis must find more help in the passing game; leading receiver Andrew Means, who has caught 15 passes for 217 yards, has not found the end zone yet, and no Hoosier receiver has more than two scores through four games.

Minnesota is riding high following its four-win start and ‘respectable loss’ to Ohio State last weekend. The Gophers have scored touchdowns on 80 percent of the trips they’ve made into the red zone, and are flashing one of the conference’s top up-and-coming prospects, DeLeon Eskridge.

But stars aside, this game could come down to special teams play; the Gophers own one of the finest return games in the conference, while Indiana has arguably the Big Ten’s best kicking game and coverage unit.

Notes:

The Spartans ground attack gained 368 yards and scored five times in Michigan State’s 52-27 win over Indiana last year.

Indiana freshman punter Chris Hagerup has been a real weapon. He leads the Big Ten in average per punt (45.4) and has the season’s long punt on record (67 yards).

Key Player (Hoosiers) – Marcus Thigpen, RB

Though he is limited on offense (just one game this season with 10 or more touches) Thigpen is someone Minnesota will need to spy on. Last week the junior back had more than 200 yards from scrimmage.

Key Player (Gophers) – DeLeon Eskridge, RB

The Hoosiers allowed Michigan State’s Javon Ringer to gain 198 yards last week and gave up 166 yards and four touchdowns to Ball State’s MiQuale Lewis the week before. A big game is in the cards for the Gophers’ dual-threat freshman back.

Minnesota by 4