Indiana's defense in Week 9 win shows why the program is a title contender

The Indiana juggernaut keeps going.

On Saturday, Associated Press No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers (8-0, 5-0 in Big Ten) rolled to their second consecutive 8-0 start with a 56-6 thumping of the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 3-2 in Big Ten).

While others had stronger wins against tougher opponents in Week 9, Indiana did what any title contender should when facing inferior competition. Its performance, particularly on defense, was another bullet point in its presentation showing why it could be the last team standing in January.

Sensational defensive effort instrumental to the blowout Indiana win

UCLA entered Saturday having won three in a row under interim head coach Tim Skipper. During the span, the Bruins averaged 33.3 points and 422.3 yards per game. None of that was apparent when watching Indiana dominate from the opening kickoff. 

In the first half alone, the Hoosiers had six tackles for loss, including three sacks, a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble with recovery that set up a 29-yard touchdown drive. The Bruins averaged 3.3 yards per play.

Overall, UCLA gained 201 yards, 163.6 yards less than its average through seven games, and was held to a season-worst 1-of-11 (9.1 percent) on third downs.

The defensive effort was another gem from Indiana, which has mostly been known for its offense during its turnaround from laughingstock to college football's upper crust. The Hoosiers have only allowed 20 points once this season — in a 30-20 win at then-No. 2 Oregon — and are giving up 10.9 points per game after Saturday.

Entering Week 9, Indiana ranked third in the country in sacks (26) and second in tackles for loss (66) while allowing the fewest trips into its red zone (10). (h/t CFBStats)

Among the many reasons Indiana has become one of the best teams in college football, the defense hasn't been talked about nearly enough. Perhaps that will start to change.