Indiana, as all Big Ten fans know, had a special season in 2007-08, as they carried on former coach Terry Hoeppner’s “Play 13″ motto into a bowl game in Arizona versus Oklahoma State. Now, after reaching this level of prominence, the Hoosiers go into this season with bigger plans and more confidence than ever under 2nd-year coach Bill Lynch. They face the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Bloomington, who have had 12 consecutive winning seasons and are in their first year in the “Football Bowl Subdivision” (otherwise known as Division I football).

This match up actually should be a bit better than what many people anticipate. Even though the Hoosiers have their all-purpose quarterback in Kellen Lewis, he still didn’t get all of spring to ready and has still not been named as the starter, as reports from the fall practices note that there is very little separating him and upstart QB Ben Chappell. If Lewis doesn’t get the nod, which I highly doubt regardless of how close things are, the Hoosiers will really have a different chemistry than ever. But it already seems that things are definitely different anyways–when it was announced as to the three captains were of the team as voted by the players, Lewis was not named, despite his gaudy statistics from last year. Ouch.

Many worried that Indiana wouldn’t have receiving after all-Big Ten WR James Hardy went to the NFL, but never fear–the receiving game will be just fine. The running game is solid, and the defense should be improved over last year, especially with potential All-Big Ten candidate DE Greg Middleton.

The Hilltoppers bring good experience back, but they have some equal issues with quarterback, with K.J. Black being named as the starter, although David Wolke was thought to be the starter despite missing time earlier with an injury. WKU brings a solid scoring attack and very good running game overall, led by Tyrell Hayden, who averaged just under 100 yards a game last year. The defense is decent, but nothing to write home about.

The Hoosiers are nearly a three TD favorite in this game, and while I do believe they will win this game regardless of who starts, I really don’t think WKU will roll over and die that easy. Middleton will cause some havoc with Black/Wolke, but they have a potent attack and the Hoosiers’ defense is still not exactly scary.  My bottom line? Indiana 31, Western Kentucky 21.