The Indiana Hoosiers made a strong statement in Week 1 by cruising to a 52-16 win over North Texas. With plenty of new faces in the mix, the Hoosiers didn't miss a beat. Looking ahead to Week 2, Indiana is expected to dominate once again.
This week's matchup comes against the Howard Bison, who hail from the FCS ranks. Indiana is favored by a whopping 55.5 points, meaning that professional oddsmakers expect a rout. This game shouldn't be close on the scoreboard, but it is still a valuable matchup in regards to seeing what depth the Hoosiers have.
With that in mind, here are three Hoosiers who are looking to stand out from the crowd against Howard.
RB Lee Beebe Jr.
Lee Beebe Jr. took the opening kick-off against North Texas back 67 yards, and Indiana scored a touchdown three plays later. It was an electric way for the Hoosiers to begin their title-defending season, and was a great moment for Beebe after he missed the majority of last season with an injury. However, Beebe was relatively quiet the rest of the way. He managed just 33 rushing yards on 14 carries, which evened out to a measly 2.4 yards per rush. Turbo Richard fared much better, as he totaled 58 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3.9 yards per carry on the afternoon. With Khobie Martin sidelined for at least a couple weeks, Beebe should be thrust into a steady role in the Hoosier backfield. After a slow start on the ground in Week 1, look for Beebe to come out with a with a vengeance on Saturday looking to prove himself as a reliable rushing threat.
QB Grant Wilson
In an ideal world, the Hoosiers hold a big lead in the second half and are able to give the second and third-teamers some significant playing time. If given the opportunity, back-up QB Grant Wilson will be looking to put forth a strong showing. Wilson got into the game against North Texas, and while he didn't attempt a pass, he did break off a 45-yard touchdown run in the closing minutes of the game.
Grant Wilson made this look easy... pic.twitter.com/VdEdm9g1AU
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 5, 2026
Wilson is in his second season at Indiana after spending two seasons at Fordham and two seasons at Old Dominion. The sixth-year senior saw his most playing time at ODU in 2023, as he threw for 2,149 yards and 17 touchdowns. He has attempted just a single pass attempt with the Hoosiers, and entered this season as Indiana's QB2 behind Josh Hoover. This contest could present Wilson with a great chance to show what he is capable of.
CB Ryland Gandy
With starting cornerbacks A.J. Harris and Jamari Sharpe both going down with injuries early on in Week 1, Ryland Gandy was forced into a leading role. Now a fifth-year senior, Gandy was a rotational piece in Indiana's CB room last season while appearing in all 16 games. He entered the 2026 season as a backup, and it will be interesting to see how he is utilized moving foward. Both Harris and Sharpe are listed as day-to-day, so Gandy could be in line for more playing time on Saturday. Looking to prove that he is capable of handling leading responsibilities, look for Gandy to take advantage of the opportunity and show that he can shoulder a larger role when his number is called.
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