The preamble is over and the real season is about to begin for a well-rested team.

First-year coach Terry Hoeppner brings his 3-0 Hoosiers to Madison to take on Barry Alvarez's undefeated Wisconsin team this week. The Hoosiers would seem to be in way over their heads, but Indiana improved significantly when they beat Kentucky 38-14 in their Sept. 17 meeting.

"It is a work in progress right now," Hoeppner said. "We improved more from Week 2 to Week 3 more than we did from Week 1 to Week 2. It was a good program win.

"It is encouraging for the coaches because we make adjustments and the guys keep executing."

QB Blake Powers has been very consistent so far. He has completed 53-of-93 passes for 718 yards with an impressive 11-to-3 TD-interception ratio. He has done a good job of waiting for his receivers to get open and has developed a good rapport with freshman WR James Hardy, who is fourth in the Big Ten in receptions with an average of 5.7 per game.

Hoeppner is quite pleased with Powers' development. "He has probably improved quite a bit," Hoeppner told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He is playing with composure and understanding. He has worked really hard at it. It's not by accident. It had to happen if we were going to have any success at all."

In the win over Kentucky, the Hoosiers also had a nice running game -- something that had been missing during the two previous games. Chris Taylor had 176 yards against the Wildcats and averaged over 10 yards per carry.

The problem for the Hoosiers in this game is the Wisconsin running game. The Badgers are averaging 239.3 rushing yards per game -- third in the Big Ten -- and Brian Calhoun has been sensational with 626 yards for an average of 156.5 yards per game.

Unless the Hoosiers show improvement in their run defense, this could be a long day for Indiana.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Hoosiers will try to use the same formula that worked against Kentucky -- employ a balanced offense that features a solid running game to complement the fine passing of QB Blake Powers. Chris Washington had 176 yards vs. the Wildcats, but the running game was dormant in the first two games. Indiana is averaging 176 rushing yards per game -- ranking eighth in the Big Ten.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The run defense will get tested by Wisconsin RB Brian Calhoun. He is a solid inside runner who can also take it to the outside and accelerate past the defenders. LBs John Panozzo and Kyle Killion (41 combined tackles) are the leaders of this unit. They play very hard and are joined by DE Victor Adeyanju, who has 4.5 TFL and two sacks.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We are just trying to get better every day and we feel like we are doing that. We are getting better with every practice and with every game." -- Indiana QB Blake Powers.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: at Wisconsin, Oct. 1 -- In order to compete with the Badgers, the defense will have to keep RB Brian Calhoun in check. The best way to do that is to hold onto the ball and establish a running game. Chris Taylor is coming off a 176-yard game vs. Kentucky and appears to be improving. WR James Hardy has good speed and has caught 17 passes for 266 yards and three TDs.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Blake Powers -- He is rapidly becoming a solid Big Ten quarterback. Powers has an 11-to-3 TD-interception ration through the first three games and has been poised and athletic.

KR Lance Bennett -- He does not carry a huge reputation, but Bennett is one of the better kick returners in the league. Through three games, Bennett is averaging 44 yards per kick return.

DE Victor Adeyanju -- He is a legitimate pass rusher for the Hoosiers. In addition to 10 tackles, Adeyanju has 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

RB Chris Taylor -- After being held to 95 yards in the first two games, Taylor had a 176-yard game against Kentucky in which he averaged better than 10 yards per attempt.

ROSTER REPORT: Wide receiver Jahkeen Gilmore (undisclosed) is questionable against Wisconsin.