No. 17 Indiana, No. 18 Iowa meet in key cross-division game

No. 17 Indiana (0-0) at No. 18 Iowa (0-0), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT (Big Ten Network).

Line: Iowa by 3 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: Iowa leads 45-28-4.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

This is a huge opener for two teams hoping to contend in their divisions. Iowa, which won six straight to end last season, plays two straight games against ranked opponents, with a trip to No. 7 Iowa State next week. The Hoosiers are looking to continue their ascent and are ranked in the preseason poll for the first time since 1969.

KEY MATCHUP

Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. vs. Iowa’s secondary. Penix makes his return after missing the Hoosiers’ last two games because of a torn ACL in his right knee. Iowa’s secondary is the strength of its defense with all four starters back.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Indiana: WR Ty Fryfogle is Penix’s favorite target. He became the first Indiana player to be named the Big Ten’s Richter-Howard receiver of the year. Fryfogle also became the first receiver in Big Ten history to record back-to-back 200-yard games.

Iowa: QB Spencer Petras bounced back from throwing three interceptions in a loss to Northwestern in the second game last year to lead the Hawkeyes during a six-game losing streak. He’s looking for more consistency in his second year as the starter.

FACTS & FIGURES

Iowa and Indiana are meeting as ranked opponents for the second time and the first since 1991, when No. 10 Iowa defeated No. 25 Indiana 38-21 in Iowa City. ... Iowa has played 22 straight games without surrendering 25 points, the longest streak in the Power Five. ... The teams are playing each other for the first time since 2018, and the Hawkeyes have won seven of the last eight meetings. ... Indiana has won 11 of its last 14 league games, its most successful stretch in program history.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25