Indiana Coach Bill Mallory might have a harder time trying to grab the headlines in Bloomington -- now that basketball season is officially underway.
But unlike past seasons, this year's Hoosier football squad finds itself in a conference standing usually reserved for Bob Knight and company -- among the Big Ten's top three teams.
After beating Michigan State last Saturday, 10-0, the Hoosiers find themselves tied for second in the conference with Illinois and Wisconsin. So as No. 17 Indiana (7-1 overall, 4-1 in the Big Ten) heads into this weekend's first-ever matchup with No. 19 Penn State (5-2, 3-2), Mallory expects his team to stay focused, and not get caught in the Rose Bowl hype.
"We beat a darned good football team, but we're right back at the drawing board getting ready for another outstanding football team," Mallory said during his weekly teleconference. He added that the team is keeping its one game at a time approach, and at this point, they can't afford to look ahead.
"They have to understand exactly what it's going to take for us to have a chance to make this a real good season," he added.
Mallory expects a tough contest, but he does not think that Penn State possesses any talent which the Hoosiers haven't faced the likes of before.
"Their (defensive) line is very athletic. They maybe don't have quite the size of Michigan State, but I think they're more athletic up front," he said, adding that the running backs are similar in some ways to Wisconsin.
That might bode well for Penn State, as Wisconsin is the only blemish on the Hoosiers record so far this season.
"They probably have better speed, and they're very good seam runners," Mallory said. "They find the creases and really have good bursts. You let them up in there and they get in your secondary -- they can go."
Note:
-- The Hoosiers may be shorthanded on defense when they make their inaugural visit to Happy Valley this Saturday. Mallory said that defensive tackle Hurvin McCormack, who missed the Michigan State game due to a sprained ankle, is still questionable at the moment.
"A sprain is usually a two- to three-week injury," Mallory said. "It will be close."
