It’s been two years since the news of the Bruins’ Pac-12 departure broke – and it’s finally time for them to debut in the Big Ten. In its first Big Ten clash, UCLA football (1-0) will take on Indiana (2-0) at the Rose Bowl on Saturday. Here is this week’s scouting report from assistant Sports editor Kai Dizon – who will be happily waking up at 8 a.m. Sunday to watch from Tokyo.

Indiana’s Offense:
Offensive scheme: Spread
Run-pass percentage: 65.4% Run, 34.6% Throw
Strength: Running the ball
Weakness: Offensive Line
X-factor: RB Justice Ellison

Indiana is under new management after coach Curt Cignetti relocated to Bloomington, Indiana, following five seasons at James Madison.

And even though this season will be Cignetti’s first as a Hoosier, he won’t be without some familiar faces. The 2023 Sun Belt Coach of the Year rehired former JMU offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines while ushering 13 players from Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Indiana started its season in convincing fashion – with a 31-7 win over Florida International and a 77-3 rout of Western Illinois. Though, the latter is a FCS team that has gone 0-24 since 2022.

Rushing for nearly two-thirds of their offensive plays, the Hoosiers boast a veteran running back room led by Justice Ellison, Ty Son Lawton and Elijah Green – all upperclassmen transfers.

While Lawton – a former JMU back – got the majority of handoffs against Florida International, Ellison took the lead with nine touches against Western Illinois.

Ellison racked up 117 yards on the ground against the Leathernecks and leads the Hoosiers with 185 rushing yards on the season, averaging 9.7 yards per carry.

On the other end, UCLA was confronted with a Hawai’i run-and-shoot offense in its season opener, leaving its run defense yet to be tested – a development worth keeping an eye on come Saturday.

Indiana’s new signal-caller is Kurtis Rourke, who landed in Bloomington after spending five seasons with Ohio, where he appeared in 36 games with a 146.8 passer rating and accumulated 7,651 passing yards. The 2022 MAC Offensive Player of the Year has completed 73.2% of his passes this season and threw for 268 yards against Western Illinois, completing 15-of-17 passes.

After allowing 2.08 sacks per game – 71st worst in the FBS – last season, the biggest question mark for the Hoosiers is their offensive line. But after retaining just two starters from last season – left tackle Carter Smith and center Mike Katic – the front five are looking different. And though Indiana’s line – similar to the entire squad – has yet to be tested under heavy duress, it’s allowed just two sacks so far this season.

The lead wide receivers are Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt – the former of who currently leads the squad with 176 receiving yards, while Sarratt is just a season removed from a 1,191-yard campaign – good for 11th most nationally in 2023.

Indiana’s Defense
Defensive scheme: 4-3
Strength: Run Defense
Weakness: Pass Coverage
X-factor: LB Aiden Fisher

While Indiana’s early slate has been far from a fair assessment, for what it’s worth, the Hoosiers’ defense is firing on all cylinders – allowing the third-fewest yards per game in the nation.

To add to that, the Hoosiers have allowed the second-fewest rushing yards per game and the 11th-fewest first downs.

Meanwhile, UCLA’s offensive line and running backs are already off to a slow start – and may be in for a long day against Indiana’s defensive standouts.

Linebacker Aiden Fisher has seamlessly adjusted to Indiana’s defensive schemes. Through two games, Fisher has already racked up 21 total tackles – with seven solos – 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Another JMU transfer, Fisher racked up 108 tackles to lead the Dukes last season.

Mikail Kamara – yet another former Duke – hasn’t done too bad for himself either. The defensive lineman has notched three sacks and three tackles for loss thus far. A year ago, Kamara’s 18.5 tackles for loss was third among JMU’s roster.

Linebacker Rolijah Hardy has had quite the start to his collegiate career, recording an interception and forced fumble against Western Illinois.

In 2023, the Hoosiers allowed the 22nd-most passing yards per game in the FBS. However, early in 2024, they’re up to the 21st-fewest per game and have already snagged three interceptions.

Indiana has looked strong this season – on both sides of the ball. The problem is they’ve yet to play a Power Four program.

However, the same could be said about the Bruins, who looked far from promising against a Mountain West foe.