Indiana is 2-0, ranked No. 4 in the country and has been dominant through two weeks. Still, the competition is about to get much better and head coach Curt Cignetti is still looking for things to maintain and improve as the Hoosiers get ready to close out non-conference play.
Entering Week 3 as 44.5-point favorites over Western Kentucky after two blowout wins in Week 1 and 2, Indiana is firing on all cylinders. It's never perfect, and head coach Curt Cignetti knows that, but a lot of what Indiana needs to do involves staying the course and sharpening things here and there.
1. Can the offense continue to roll?
Under Cignetti, Indiana's offense continues to put up historic numbers. The Hoosiers scored 50+ points for the 13th time in the Cignetti era last week, and they'll look to do it again against WKU.
2. Can Josh Hoover be this good every week?
A big reason for the abundance of points is transfer quarterback Josh Hoover. The former TCU signal caller is a scorching 19-of-27 for 376 yards and eight touchdowns through two weeks. He has not thrown an interception and he's completing north of 70% of his passes. He has found multiple receivers for touchdowns and has looked good the few times he's run the ball. He's already a perfect fit in Cignetti's offense and he should have another good game this Saturday.
3. Can Charlie Becker continue to find the end zone with ease?
It's pretty incredible how effective Becker has been. He only has seven catches through two games, but five of them have been for touchdowns. The 6-4, 208-pounder has done it on deep balls, jump balls, contested catches and over the middle. He's really doing it all for his quarterback right now and likely will again against a struggling WKU defense.
4. Is the defense truly as good as it has looked?
Indiana currently has the No. 11 scoring defense in the country having given up just 16 points through two games. The Hoosiers let up those 16 points in the first game against North Texas and then pitched a shutout against Howard. The secondary has been banged up but it hasn't mattered. Cignetti's group is smart and athletic and really doesn't seem to have a weakness.
5. Will the two RB system continue to be effective?
Through two games, Lee Beebe Jr. and Turbo Richard have been the epitome of a two-back system. Richard has carried it 26 times for 166 yards, while Beebe Jr. has toted the rock 30 times for 145 yards. Richard does lead the touchdown race 3-0, but both backs have been extremely effective and essentially interchangeable. Those two guys being reliable and productive has allowed the play action game to work, which is where we've seen a lot of success, specifically from Hoover to Becker.
