“The wind certainly has my attention” is what Curt Cignetti said to Jenny Dell before the game. It’s five minutes to kickoff now and the flags are stiff and blowing from the NW across the stadium. Could make the passing game tricky if the wind stays this blustery. It’s about thirteen to fifteen mph steady, which is manageable, but there have been gusts as strong as thirty.

Kicker Nicolas Radicic and his perfect leg will be put to the test. 48/48 EP and 8/8 FG

It’s also bright and sunny with mild temps. Chilly in the shade. It would be unwise to tailgate in short sleeves enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and then forget your jacket in the car and sit in the frigid shade all game. This would be a game where such a thing might happen. Also, at the Liberty Bowl multiple times.

The players and coaches won’t feel a thing. It’s gametime.

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• Early Key Play. Mendoza was picked by Jamare Glasker and took it down to the thirteen. Maryland held to field goal. 3-0
  • Indiana getting the ball back for the second time. 11:56 1st

Maryland’s defense is making an impact so far. This time a three and out. I know it’s early, but it’s one of the things I like about this Maryland team. They’ve been physical all season. Wingate is elite at the Mike and they have a slew of DB’s I like, including one of the best Freshman in Messiah Delhomme. I’ll be waiting for #33 to impact this game at some point. Two blocked punts and an INT on the stat sheet. He also loves physicality.

It’s the offense on both teams that will be the question. Who can score? and How? Both of these teams are going to continuously play physical on defense, so which offense can out physical the other? I’m certainly not sure but 20-17 in this game feels right. We’ll just have to see.

I think the Hoosiers were favored by three scores or so, that seems way too many. Again, it’s early. 8:53 1st Quarter. I’m just getting excited. Hoosiers could clamp this game off right here and win 49-3 for all I know. I just don’t see that happening. This feels like a physical low scoring game and as a Mike Locksley supporter, I say, Go Terps.

Indiana is elite. They know it, I know it, you know it, so I’m letting them prove it. Maryland needs some love these days. That’s a program on the rise!

• Indiana TD Mendoza straight up the gut untouched. 7-0 Hoosiers. That was a power drive. In your face. Yes, we can play. After the turnover and punt, this drive was a statement on the road. 2:11 1st Quarter.

-VA Tech is beating Louisville 16-7 with 5 to go in the half. Yikes. Get it going Cardinals.

-Montana is up 28-10 on Weber near the half. Keep on the unbeaten streak Grizzlies!

-West Virginia beat Houston, Ohio St beat Penn St, and Duke beat Clemson. Oh, and Texas. They beat Vanderbilt.

-ASU is up 24-19 on Iowa St with 5 minutes to go. Just a good ball game.

-Kansas St is up 7-0 on Texas Tech. Wildcats showing some craftiness and grit.

Back to the game.

“We knew it was going to be this kind of game–we’ve got to play better.”- Cignetti to Dell

• INT out of the gate. Cayden Turner with the pick on a poor throw from Washington. Excellent play on the ball. 14:41. IND could strike quick here. Held to a Field goal. 10-3 IU. 10:30 2nd Q. Radicic still on the perfect kicker list. Dead center.

10-3 works for the 20-17 prediction. Now it’s time for Maryland to bounce back with some points. IU look solid on defense. What kind of creativity can the Terps show on offense?

• BREAKING NEWS: SMU just beat Miami 26-20 in OT. Yikes. Lose to Wake and then beat Miami. Crazy. Wake is that good! Miami will plummet.

I didn’t sniff that one out in anyway. I had that as an easy win for the Canes and move on. That’s wild. Adios Miami. Cristobol blew it again. It’s Georgia Tech’s to lose.

• McNelly WATCH! IND Louis Moore with his 5th pick of the season. A great play on a deep pass. It was his ball the entire way and no one was going to stop him. Look for him on next week’s latest update on “McNelly Award Watchlist.” Unreal play. 9:33 2nd Q 10-3.

• McNelly Freshman MD Messiah Delhomme 7 Total Tackles so far. 6 Assists.
  • #33 playing significant snaps in this game. He was playing in high school less than a year ago.
  • He can’t block punts when the other team never punts.

-Too many shoulder tackles in the secondary. Inefficient and costly. IU powering down the field.

• TD Indiana. Mendoza to Omar Cooper on the slant and go. About as easy of a throw and catch you could think of. 17-3 IU inching towards half.

The flags are flying gently as the shadows get longer in Baltimore. It’s a beautiful fall evening. It’ll downright chilly by the end. Again, I hope you dressed for the 4th quarter, not the tailgate.

-Groceries are walking in at the moment. A bottle of Peroni or two will do. Maybe something from Pizzeria Limone in a bit. Best Ceasar Salad. The lettuce is always well-seasoned. Maybe a pizza. Afterall this is a football Saturday.

I’ll keep this going until the half. 2:00 Minute Warning. 17-3.

-Sidney Stewart has been another bright spot for Maryland today. A true freshman that is playing like a grown man. Fearless and powerful off the EDGE.

This game feels like it’ll be Indiana all the way. Maybe 27-6 instead of 17-3. We’ll see how this next forty-nine seconds goes. 17-3.

• Nico Radicic with the wind at his back nailed the 47 yard FG to make it 20-3 at the break and remain on the perfect kicker list. I’ll update that in the next day or two.
  • The kick just ever so slightly slipped inside the right upright. Well done Nico. 10/10 for the season.

-ND is up 12-0 over BC so far.

-Still 16-7 VA Tech over Louisville.

Let’s see how this day unfolds. Food and beverage in the immediate future.

“Our defense is playing well.”- Mike Locksley

HALF 20-3. IU

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.