It's Penn State-Indiana week: Game time, spread, channel, storylines, and more

Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium on Saturday when it welcomes Indiana to State College. The Hoosiers are the No. 2 team in the country. The Lions are the first team to play the Associated Press top 25 Nos. 1 and 2 teams in back-to-back weeks ever. They are fresh off a 38-14 loss to Ohio State.

“Yeah, they’re obviously hurting,” interm Penn State head coach Terry Smith said. “You know, we’re in the middle of the storm, and we just can’t figure how to get out of it. The seniors are hurting. I feel awful for those guys to end their careers this way. It’s very challenging. It’s challenging for all of us, but we have to figure out how to keep fighting. We’re going to keep chopping wood. The one positive of the game, these guys did not quit, and that’s a testament to who they are as well. We just got to figure some other things out.”

Our early preview gets you ready to start game week below.

Time and TV info

Kickoff is at Noon ET. FOX will televise the game. The network’s top crew of Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft will call a Lions game for the second week in a row.

What is the Penn State-Indiana point spread?

Indiana is favored by 14 points at BetMGM. The betting total over/under is 49.5 points.

Game week schedule for the Lions

Penn State interim head coach Terry Smith will kick off game week with a news conference at Noon ET on Monday. You’ll be able to watch it on the Blue-White Illustrated YouTube channel by 12:45 if you click here.

Tuesday will feature player interviews with reporters via Zoom. Wednesday will likely feature some, as well, before a practice viewing availability for the media, followed by Smith and some players speaking in the evening. Thursday features an assistant coach media call and the weekly coaches radio show. Then, the talking is done until after the game.

As for Indiana, head coach Curt Cignetti will speak multiple times this week, starting with a Monday afternoon news conference.

What’s up with the Hoosiers?

Indiana is rolling right now. The Hoosiers pounded Maryland 50-10 on Saturday in College Park. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for 201 yards and scored a passing and rushing touchdown. Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby both found the end zone, as well, while carrying 14 times for 110 yards and 18 times for 88 yards, respectively. Omar Cooper led the receivers with seven catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. And the Hoosiers’ defense recorded two interceptions.

Here’s where IU ranks in various statistical categories:

Scoring offense: No. 1 (46.4 points per game)

Rushing/passing offense: Nos. 6 and 33

Scoring defense: No. 3 (10.8 points per game)

Rushing/passing defense: Nos. 4 and 18

Weather report

Per Weather.com, some rain is possible. The forecast reads “Rain showers early with mostly cloudy conditions later in the day. High near 55F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.”

Early Penn State-Indiana storylines

–Left tackle Drew Shelton was hurt at Ohio State. Will he be back in action against Indiana?

–Can Penn State figure out something, anything, to give its offense a chance to be successful when it comes to throwing the ball down the field?

–Will the Lions make any starter changes in the secondary after being tormented through the air by the Buckeyes?

–What’s your top storyline to start the week? Tell us inside The Lions Den forum!