Northwestern @ Indiana preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) Northwestern 20, Indiana 17

THE STORY: Teams on five-game losing streaks collide when Northwestern visits Indiana in a matchup of Big Ten cellar dwellers. The Wildcats, at the bottom of the Legends Division, have been very competitive in their skid. They fell 34-24 to No. 19 Penn State last week. The Hoosiers, at the bottom of the Leaders Division, have dropped their last three games by at least 21 points. Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa (turf toe) returned to practice Wednesday and plans to play, while Indiana true freshman quarterback Tre Robinson gets his second start. The Wildcats have won six of the last seven meetings.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Northwestern -8.5

ABOUT NORTHWESTERN (2-5, 0-4 Big Ten): Freshmen QB Kain Colter has been effective when injuries derail Persa. Colter is an extremely versatile player who did it all against Penn State: he caught a 12-yard TD pass, ran for 51 yards and completed both his throws for 18 yards. WR Jeremy Ebert has averaged 97.2 receiving yards over his last five games. Suspect all season, the defense shined in the second half against the Nittany Lions, allowing 88 yards and one TD. LB David Nwabuisi leads the team with 54 tackles.

ABOUT INDIANA (1-7, 0-4 Big Ten): Roberson sparked the Hoosiers in last week’s 45-24 loss at Iowa, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors. He’s 29 of 46 this season for 355 yards and one TD, with one INT, and has run for 115 yards and a score. Injuries have hurt the Hoosiers. WR Damarlo Belcher (knee) appears unlikely to play. C Will Matte (knee) is day to day. Indiana ranks 11th out of 12 teams in the conference in scoring defense (33.4) and last in total defense (438.6).

EXTRA POINTS

1. The last seven meetings have been decided by 26 points (3.7 per game).

2. The Hoosiers have won six of their last eight homecoming games.

3. Northwestern has a plus-5 turnover margin. The Wildcats have committed seven turnovers, tied for sixth-fewest nationally.

PREDICTION: Northwestern 37, Indiana 27 – The dynamic Wildcats' offense will take advantage of the Big Ten's worst defense.