No. 1 offense next for struggling team

Playing in the Big Ten, it's necessary to bring your 'A' game every week. \nLast weekend, the Hoosiers fell far short of a passing grade in their 35-6 loss to Ohio State. IU's defense surrendered a season-high 603 yards of total offense to a then-struggling OSU offensive squad that ranked near the bottom of the conference. \nIU (1-7, 0-4 Big Ten) and the defense will face another tall task containing the No. 1 offense in the Big Ten, the Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-2, 3-2), Saturday in Minneapolis.\nThe match up will feature the best vs. the worst. While Minnesota's offense peers down at the rest of the conference, IU's defense strains its neck looking up as the Hoosiers rank last in total defense.\nIU defensive coordinator Tim Kish said that Minnesota's offense is very simplistic. The few plays it runs, it runs very well, according to Kish.\n"They just repeat the zone play. They repeat the stretch play," Kish said. "They have a little reverse action off of it."\nMinnesota's action offensively starts with fifth-year senior and two-time captain Asad Abdul-Khaliq. When Khaliq turns around, he will see any of three running backs in sophomore Marion Barber III, freshman Laurence Maroney and fellow fifth-year senior Thomas Tapeh.\nJunior defensive tackle Jodie Clemons said the Gopher offense will be a big challenge.\n"It's kind of hard to prepare for three different running backs," Clemons said. "But everybody has to do what we're being coached to do. With (Abdul-Khaliq), he's very accurate when he throws the ball. He's a great scrambler. He can just flat-out beat you."\nSaturday's meeting is the first rendition of the series since 2000 when IU outscored the Gophers 51-43 in Bloomington. Minnesota leads the all-time series 33-24-3, but IU has closed the gap by winning nine of the last 12 meetings.\nIU's offense hopes to rebound after the OSU loss, as well. Junior quarterback Matt LoVecchio, who left the OSU game early complaining of dizziness, will return to action Saturday.\nIn relief, freshman Graeme McFarland completed six of six passes for 54 yards and a touchdown. When asked on Tuesday if McFarland would play an early series against Minnesota, IU coach Gerry DiNardo responded with a simple, "No."\nAlthough his team is 1-7 and has lost its last 11 on the road, DiNardo said he isn't worried about his team practicing and playing hard Saturday. If they do that, maybe they'll earn a passing grade for the remainder of the season.\n"There's a picture frame outside our team room reserved for the next bowl team at IU," DiNardo said. "I want them to work on that. I want them to practice and play as if their practice and play will have an impact on when that picture frame will be filled. If they continue to work to fill that picture frame, it will be a successful last third of the season."\n-- Contact staff writer John Rodgers at jprodger@indiana.edu.