GAME NOTES: The Indiana Hoosiers will make their first postseason appearance in 14 years when they tangle with the Oklahoma State Cowboys on New Year's Eve in the 19th Insight Bowl in Tempe. Indiana has struggled in postseason matchups, recording a 3-5 ledger all-time. The last postseason game Indiana took part in was the 1993 Independence Bowl where the Hoosiers were dismantled by Virginia Tech, 45-20. This year the Hoosiers began the season with five wins in their first six games. The lone setback was a tough, 27-14 loss to Illinois at home. However, at 5-1 the Hoosiers were one of the biggest surprises in the Big Ten, before the team fell off track. After the fast start, the Hoosiers stumbled, losing three straight games to Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin. The losing skid did not derail the Hoosiers' postseason hopes, as the team regrouped and won two of its last three contests, defeating Ball State and Purdue. It was not an easy season for the Cowboys, as the team struggled through some inconsistent play. OSU opened the year with two losses in their first three matchups, falling to Georgia and Troy, both on the road. The Pokes did not let the sluggish start get the better of them, instead the team reeled off four wins in the next five games. However, the Cowboys fell of the horse down the stretch, losing three of their last four matchups, including an embarrassing, 49-17 loss to Oklahoma in the regular-season finale. Despite finishing the season at 6-6, the Pokes were able to secure their second consecutive postseason appearance. In 17 bowl matchups, the Cowboys are 11-6 and that includes a 34-31 win over Alabama in the Independence Bowl last year. The only meeting between Indiana and Oklahoma State took place back during the 1930 season and that contest finished in a 7-7 tie.

The success of the Hoosiers heavily depends on the play of quarterback Kellen Lewis. Lewis was one of the most dangerous signal callers in the nation and closed out the year as Indiana's leading rusher and passer. On the ground, Lewis rushed for 653 yards and a team-best eight scores. While his ability to run with the ball is impressive, his passing ability is outstanding. Lewis completed just over 60.0 percent of his passes this year and finished with 2,839 yards and 26 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions. His go-to receiver was James Hardy, who hauled in 75 passes for 1,075 yards and 16 touchdowns. Ray Fisher also made solid contributions throughout the season and finished with 49 catches for 462 yards and four scores. As a whole, Indiana is averaging 393.3 total ypg, leading to a solid 31.6 ppg.

It was a tale of two halves for the Indiana defense. In the first six games the unit did a terrific job, surrendering just 20.8 ppg, which led to a 5-1 mark. However, in the final six games the team went just 2-4 and mainly because the defense fell a few notches, allowing 32.6 ppg. The team had some trouble against he run and pass, as opponents churned out 155.4 ypg on the ground, while also throwing for another 238.8 ypg through the air. Out of the 38 touchdowns permitted by the Hoosiers, 20 came on the ground. One area the team excelled in was pressuring the quarterback, as the Hoosiers finished with 42 sacks, which ranked the team fourth in the nation. The success for Indiana in this area is largely due to the play of Greg Middleton, who posted 17 TFLs to go along with a nation's best 16 sacks.

The Pokes are an extremely dangerous offensive unit and have the capability of attacking defenses with an array of different weapons. The Cowboys finished seventh in the nation with their ground attack, which is averaging an impressive 245.8 ypg. Leading Oklahoma State all year has been Dantrell Savage, who has rumbled for 1,172 yards and eight scores. Quarterback Zac Robinson has also done a solid job with his legs, posting 777 yards and seven scores. Not to be overlooked is the play of Kendall Hunter, who comes into this game with 662 yards on the season and is averaging a strong 6.7 ypc. Although not as explosive as the ground game, the passing attack for OSU is also effective. Robinson also did a tremendous job with his arm this season, throwing for 2,522 yards and 20 scores against just eight interceptions. However, for Robinson to be at his best on Monday the quarterback will need his main target, Adarius Bowman, healthy and on the field. Bowman is struggling with a knee injury and is currently questionable for the game against Indiana. If on the field, Bowman is a down the field threat. In just 10 contests this season, the wideout grabbed 61 passes for 932 yards and seven scores.

Much like their counterpart, the Pokes had trouble defensively, especially against the pass, as teams posted 292.0 ypg through the air during the regular season. Overall the unit has been abused for 446.7 total ypg, and that has led to a whopping 29.2 ppg. In 12 games, the defense surrendered 45 touchdowns, 20 of which came on the ground, while the other 25 were posted via the pass. The team has also struggled to make big plays throughout the campaign, forcing only 19 turnovers, while collecting a mere 21 sacks. There was not much experience on this side of the football for Oklahoma State, but if there was a leader on the field it was Nathan Peterson, as the senior defensive lineman led the squad with 14 TFLs and six sacks. Cornerback Jacob Lacey also did well this year, grabbing a team-high five interceptions to go along with 62 tackles.

The Pokes need Bowman to be healthy in this matchup to stand a chance. The Hoosiers put pressure on the quarterback and should give Robinson fits all night. If Lewis can play within himself he should have a huge day against a very suspect OSU defense.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Indiana 34, Oklahoma State 31