The Indiana Hoosiers football team will have a drastic step up in competition this weekend when they face the Cincinnati Bearcats. After a string of subpar performances against average-at-best teams, IU will be matched up with a top-25 caliber team.

On today's episode of Locked on Hoosiers, Jacob Rude (@JacobRude) previews the Hoosiers' contest with Luke Fickell's Bearcats. A close game last year could give the Hoosiers optimism for this year's showdown, but the two teams are vastly different and it's a true road game for Indiana.

Offensively, Cincinnati is no longer led by Desmond Ritter but still have an impressive signal-caller in Ben Bryant under center. Problems with penalties and turnovers throughout the young season could offer a pathway for the Hoosiers to pull off an upset.

The show wraps by looking at the defense of the Bearcats and where they rank relative to the other opponents IU has played this season. Cincinnati will offer a stiff test for an IU offense that has struggled ton consistently impress.

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