IU football faces a big test this weekend without its starting quarterback

Driving the news: The Washington Huskies (4-3) are heading to Bloomington as IU hosts ESPN's College GameDay. 

• But the Hoosiers will take the field without standout quarterback Kurtis Rourke who had successful thumb surgery Monday after being hurt during the team's routing of Nebraska.
• Tayven Jackson, a third-year QB who hails from Greenwood, will lead the offense in his absence. 

Fun fact: Saturday will also serve as GameDay's first episode from IU. The ESPN pregame show runs from 9am-12pm on ESPN and ESPNU.

• Fans in the area for the sellout can catch former IU coach Lee Corso, Rece Davis, Pat McAfee and the rest of the GameDay crew on the south lawn of Memorial Stadium.

How to watch: Kickoff is at 12pm on the Big Ten Network.

Zoom in: Washington is one of four West Coast teams that joined the Big Ten in 2024.

• For Big Ten loyalists who aren't yet hip to the Huskies, here's what you need to know about the program.