BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – It’s the next test, the biggest test, this Iowa team that brings tough-minded intensity and physicality. The Indiana Hoosiers, says linebacker Aiden Fisher, are well aware of what they’ll face on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium and what it will take to remain unbeaten.

“We know the challenge they represent,” Fisher says. “They’re a well-coached team. They’re always physical. They’re always in the right place. They’re very disciplined.

“We’re the same way. It will be who can break the other team’s will first. We have to make sure we’re playing the football we know.”

Will breaking is always a key for No. 11/12 Hoosiers (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the Big Ten), especially on the Big Ten road.

On his Thursday night radio show with Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer, head coach Curt Cignetti referred to breaking a team’s will as changing the way people think during a game, causing them to lose intensity and even hope. It’s a concept he got while an assistant coach at Alabama under Nick Saban.

IU did it to Illinois. The goal is to do the same thing to Iowa (3-1, 1-0).

Cignetti emphasized the importance of staying “humble and hungry” while maintaining a big-ready-at-all-times mindset. He told Don Fischer the Hawkeyes will not beat themselves.

“They won’t give you anything. You have to earn it.

“We have to beat man coverage in this game. They are tremendous at pressuring the quarterback with their twists and coverage.”

In a conference known for its intimidating stadiums, 70,000-seat Kinnick Stadium, which opened in 1929, is one of the most intimidating. IU hasn’t won there since 2007.

“It’s a historic stadium,” Aiden Fisher says. “It’s a good venue. At the end of the day, it’s a business trip. We’re going there to win. We can’t be consumed by the history and tradition.”

Iowa has added an invigorated offense (its 33.0-point average) and dynamic special teams (Kaden Wetjen has a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a 95-yard punt return for a TD and leads the nation with 448 combined kick yards; field goal kicker Drew Stevens is 7-for-9 this season with 61 career field goals) to its typically rugged defense (it ranks in the top-25 nationally in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense).

The Hawkeyes’ offensive line starters range from 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-5 and from 290 pounds to 315 pounds. Their three returning All-Big Ten offensive linemen — center Logan Jones, guard Beau Stephens and tackle Gennings Dunker — have a combined 93 career starts.

“They’re big; they’re physical; they move well,” Fisher says. “When you go against a physical O-line like that, you really have got to mind your Ps and Qs; you have to strike well at the point of attack.

“Scheme wise, you’ve got to be able to manipulate some fits. We have to be able to do what we do best — be aggressive, play fast, and strike to get off blocks.”

Iowa averages 200.5 rushing yards per game with 10 rushing touchdowns. It has outscored opponents 54-10 in the second half.