Big Ten power rankings entering Week 2: How far does Penn State rise?

MADISON, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 04: Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates a touchdown with Caedan Wallace #79 during the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 04, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

9 of 14

Iowa senior running back Ivory Kelly-Martin fumbles the ball in the fourth quarter against Indiana at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.20210904 Iowavsindiana /

813. . 0-1 (0-1). . Hoosiers . 6. team

Coming off one of the more successful seasons in program history, there was belief within the Indiana program that this was the start of something special. Well, that belief didn’t get off to the greatest of starts on Saturday.

Indiana was dominated by Iowa 34-6 on Saturday. Quarterback Michael Penix went a mere 14-31 for 156 yards and three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns.

Despite losing by 28, Indiana’s defense didn’t play horrible.

The Hoosiers’ defense was responsible for only 20 of the 34 points given up and allowed 303 yards while recovering two fumbles. This group won’t be the reason Indiana loses too many times this year.

Penix, coming off an ACL injury, was certainly rusty, but he’ll need to play better if this team is going to take another step forward. If he continues to struggle, this team could resort back to what Indiana usually is, an average team.

We’ll give them the benefit of playing a very good Iowa team this week, but a matchup with Cincinnati in two weeks will tell us a lot more.

Home/Penn State Football