Gameday Morning: Indiana Ready to Take on Maryland in Search of Win No. 5

It's the first of two huge back-to-back road games for 4-2 Indiana as its tries to knock off the Terrapins in College Park and get another Big Ten win.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The first big test on Indiana's two-game road trip starts Saturday when the Hoosiers take on Maryland Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET (TV: Big Ten Network) It's a huge game for Indiana as it tries to get its fifth win of the year. Nebraska awaits in another week.

Here's a few things I'm curious about this morning as we inch toward game time here in sun-splashed College Park:

1. Can Whop Philyor go for double-digits a third game in a row?

Whop Philyor, Indiana's sensational junior wide receiver from Tampa, Fla., has been on fire lately. He's had double-digits in receptions the past two games against Michigan State (14) and Rutgers (10). That's never been done before in Indiana history.

So can he go for three in a row Saturday at Maryland? It's certainly possible because Maryland's secondary is a mess. The Terrapins gave up 420 yards passing to Purdue and redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Plummer last week, and we may see the same thing — or better — from Indiana's potent passing game led by quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

I've been searching through the Big Ten record books this morning and had to go all the way back to 2005 to find a Big Ten receiver who's gone for double digits three times in a row in the same season. Purdue's Dorien Bryant did in three times in the middle of the '05 season. Taylor Stubblefield also did it the year before for Purdue. (Thanks for the assist from Indiana media relations guru Jeff Keag.)

Even Purdue great Chris Daniels, Drew Brees' favorite target during his record-setting 121-catch season in 1999, never did it three times in a row. He went back-to-back twice, but could never get that third one. He could have done it in the 1999 Old Oaken Bucket game, but the Hoosiers held him to one catch. 

Purdue's Rondale Moore had back-to-back games to end last season and then opened this year with two more, so that's four in a row, but NOT in the same season

Let's see if Whop can make some history of his own today.

2. Will center Hunter Littlejohn be ready to play today?

Indiana center Hunter Littlejohn limped off the field in the first half last Saturday against Rutgers, and his status for Saturday's game in unknown. He did make the trip to Maryland with the Hoosiers, but that's all we know for the moment. 

• That's something we will update you on during our Live Blog/Open thread starting here at 3 p.m. today. Please come back to si.com/college/indiana then. 

The last thing we know was from Thursday after practice. "Hunter continues to work really hard on his rehab, so he's a game-time decision,'' Indiana coach Tom Allen said Thursday during his final media availability of the week. "We'll see. Bottom line is he's doing everything he can to get back, and I'm very proud of his effort.''

Charlie O'Connor stepped in and did a nice job in replacing Littlejohn against Rutgers. If he has to go again, he'll be ready, but it still hurts missing two veteran linemen. Senior left tackle Coy Cronk was lost for the season in the Sept. 21 Connecticut game, but true freshman Matt Bedford has stepped in for him and done well. Still, the spotlight will be on Indiana's offensive line today. 

3. Weather is nice, and we'll finish under the lights

It's a nice day here in College Park. The morning started out sunny but chilly, and by game time at 3:30, it's supposed to be about 64 degrees and partly sunny. That just might be perfect football weather.

We will see something interesting today, probably right around the start of the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers will see their first bit of action all season under the lights. Sunset in College Park is at 6:22 p.m. today. It will be interesting to see if it has any impact on anyone at all. The Hoosiers, who always practice in the mornings back in Bloomington, rarely work out under the lights.

Should make for some nice pictures though, too.

LOG IN TO OUR OPEN THREAD/LIVE BLOG TODAY!!

Starting at 3 p.m., come back to si.com/college/indiana for a live blog from the game. It's the best way to pay attention to everything that's going on here. We'll hit all the big plays, of course, but we'll throw in some great commentary along the way.

It's a great tool, whether you're in front of TV, listening to the great Don Fischer on the radio, or just out doing other things on a Saturday. I've got you covered for all things Indiana football today!