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Week 6 Preview: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions

Coming off of a bye week, the Hoosiers look to finally snap their losing streak against Penn State.

Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Last Game's Recap: Week 4 saw the Hoosiers take on the Missouri Tigers. For the first time all season, the offense failed to show up in any meaningful fashion, and the defense couldn't do everything to keep Indiana in the game. The Hoosiers fell 45-28 to drop to 2-2 on the season.

Game Info: This game kicks off Saturday at noon on the Big Ten Network. This is the B1G opener for both teams, and the last of IU's five straight home games to open the season.

Series History: The Hoosiers have failed to beat Penn State in 16 tries (0-16-0). Some of those victories were later vacated as a result of sanctions. In their last meeting, Penn State defeated IU 45-22.

Indiana Notes: The Hoosiers will have pink as part of their uniforms Saturday to support breast cancer research and awareness. Greg Heban's two interceptions against Missouri were his first of the season, and was the first time a Hoosier had recorded 2 picks in the same game since Heban himself accomplished the feat in 2011 against Virginia. Heading into conference play, the Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in total offense per game, at just over 547 yards.

Penn State Notes, courtesy of OTE's own Aaron Yorke: Guess what uniforms the Lions will be wearing this week. Outside linebacker Mike Hull has been nagged by injury so far this season and he's only been on the field for one game. His second game of the season will be on Saturday, which is great news for a Penn State team that will need Hull to pressure Nate Sudfeld and chase Tevin Coleman around the field. Wide receiver Allen Robinson gained just 43 receiving yards last week to break a streak of three straight games with 100 yards and a score. After the bye week, Robinson is probably especially hungry, and Bill O'Brien won't hesitate to feed him.

Predictions: [CfB] What started off as a very promising season for the Hoosiers is already hanging on by a thread, as 4 conference wins are now needed for the Hoosiers to go bowling. As the basketball team is getting ready to start preparing for the season, the football Hoosiers need to win soon to keep fans interested. My heart says this is the game we finally break the streak, but my brain says Penn State 38 - Indiana 35.

[AY] I'll be the first to admit that Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg hasn't totally arrived yet. After completing over 70 percent of his passes in PSU's first three games, the true freshman was just 13-for-35 versus Kent State two weeks ago. The Lions won that game by racking up 287 rushing yards, and if there's anything we learned from Indiana's loss to Navy this season, it's that the Hoosiers can still be run on. Penn State 31 - Indiana 21