BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – No. 2 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) hosts a hot UCLA (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) this week. The Bruins enter Saturday on a three-game winning streak after losing their first four games of 2025.

UCLA interim coach Tim Skipper has his team playing with a confidence that was absent to begin the season. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is choosing to treat UCLA like an undefeated team.

Here’s what the Hoosiers must do to remain undefeated themselves and beat UCLA for the second straight year.

Protect The Ball

Indiana has to continue to be relatively mistake-free in the turnover category against UCLA. The Hoosiers have committed just three turnovers in seven games, with quarterback Fernando Mendoza throwing two interceptions and running back Lee Beebe Jr. — who’s now out for the season — fumbling in the season opener.

During its winning streak, UCLA has forced four turnovers in three games. The Bruins have forced at least one turnover in each of their last three games. Two of those wins were one-possession wins where forcing those turnovers could’ve made the difference.

UCLA has recovered five of its opponents’ fumbles this year, which is tied for third in the Big Ten. The Bruins attack the football, meaning Mendoza, the running backs and wide receivers must protect the ball when they get hit.

Unexpected turnovers often fuel upset wins. Indiana can avoid being on the wrong end of an upset by not gifting UCLA the football.

Stop QB Runs

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava is an explosive dual threat. The former five-star quarterback is as dangerous as they come in the open field, and Indiana has to be prepared for Iamaleava to use his legs.

Iamaleava leads UCLA with 360 rushing yards. He is the rare quarterback who’s probably a bigger running threat than his running backs. When UCLA upset Penn State on Oct. 4, Iamaleava ran for 128 yards and three touchdowns. The Hoosiers can’t allow that to happen Saturday.

“He's got a live body, a really quick body,” Cignetti said about Iamaleava this week. “That's why you've seen some of the long gains out of the pocket with him.”

Indiana’s defensive front has been disruptive this year, but the Hoosiers are now playing without defensive end Kellan Wyatt, who Cignetti said has a “long-term injury” and may not return this year. Wyatt lived in the backfield in the first seven games, totaling eight tackles for losses and 2.5 sacks. Kent State transfer Stephen Daley will step into Wyatt’s role, and Daley (and whoever else the Hoosiers use to fill Wyatt’s void) must find a way to be productive.

UCLA is averaging 233.3 rushing yards per game during this win streak, and Iamaleava’s running is a big reason for that. The Bruins averaged just 122.5 rushing yards in their first four games. UCLA will seek to run the ball and control possession to upset Indiana, as it has had at least 35 carries in each of its last three games.

Indiana’s defensive front has to contain UCLA’s run  game and not surrender long drives. Containing Iamaleava is the first step in doing so.

Beware of Special Teams Trickery

Skipper and this UCLA staff are coaching like they have nothing to lose. UCLA has converted two fake punts with defensive back Cole Martin this season, and the Bruins probably have more up their sleeves.

Indiana can’t afford to get caught off guard by a fake punt or field goal or onside kick, which UCLA has also converted. Needless to say, UCLA is not afraid to get creative on special teams.

“This is going to take tremendous preparation and effort on our part this Saturday,” Cignetti said.

UCLA has a solid special teams unit all around. Kicker Mateen Bhaghani has made 10 of his 11 kicks inside of 50 yards and is 2-of-4 on kicks over 50 yards. Punter Will Harol has four punts of over 50 yards and has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line seven times. 

If UCLA controls this game through special teams, the Hoosiers might be in some trouble.