INDIANA OFFENSE/DEFENSE

[CAARHawk]

I don't think it is as much about being confident as much as just providing an accurate understanding of the opponent at this time. Indiana has won against one foe this year - FCS member SCSTATE.

They were beat by Ball State and North Texas.

They have one of the worst rush defenses in the NCAA.

Just seems like one of those transitional coaching change seasons that often go very very poorly. If the Hawks play it right, this game should be one where they can work on developing more consistency in all areas of their game.

 

[wardog23]

And to be fair, Penn State will play everyone close until they start McGloin all game long. Bolden is terrible.

 

[TylerSash]

Indiana HAS gotten pasted by Illinois and Wisconsin ... however, both of those teams are obviously pretty darn good this year.

Prior to those blow-outs ... Indiana was playing everybody pretty close.

Thus, I'd definitely conclude that the Hawks shouldn't look past the Hoosiers.

They were getting blown out by North Texas until the Mean Green secondary decided to blow two pass coverages in the last few minutes to make the score closer. That game was nowhere near as close as the score indicated.

Same with PSU. It was 16-3 (which against them is like 35-0 against anyone else) and Ind scores a late garbage TD to make the final score look respectable.

 

[JonDMiller]

Indiana HAS gotten pasted by Illinois and Wisconsin ... however, both of those teams are obviously pretty darn good this year.

Prior to those blow-outs ... Indiana was playing everybody pretty close.

Thus, I'd definitely conclude that the Hawks shouldn't look past the Hoosiers.

Yeah, close loss to Ball State, close loss to North Texas when they were down 24-0 at one point.

This is a bad football team and if this is a close game in Kinnick on Saturday, it will be a big disappointment.

There are only three teams in the nation with a worse rush defense than Indiana. Indiana's run defense is worst in the Big Ten by 55 yards per game! 227 rushing yards per game allowed.

If you can't stop the run against Iowa, you have no shot. So they will have to sell out and be very aggressive. They don't have the personnel to manage on the backside in doing that.

Here is a link to their NCAA stat ranks

This team flat stinks. They are also 101 in tackles for loss, 105 in sacks, then 107 in sacks allowed on the other side.

 

[thetrza]

Indiana and Minnesota both have athletic quarterbacks who can give our defense headaches for an entire game. These are not "sure things", or "automatic wins". Fans have to respect their opponents.

 

[TylerSash]

Indiana and Minnesota both have athletic quarterbacks who can give our defense headaches for an entire game. These are not "sure things", or "automatic wins". Fans have to respect their opponents.

You have clearly not seen Indiana play this year if you think they have "athletic" QBs.

And no, I do not have to respect our opponents. That's the job of the players and coaches, not the fans. You are NOT a part of the team, and your behavior during the week has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the outcome of the game.

 

[iowaboy85]

You have clearly not seen Indiana play this year if you think they have "athletic" QBs.

And no, I do not have to respect our opponents. That's the job of the players and coaches, not the fans. You are NOT a part of the team, and your behavior during the week has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the outcome of the game.

Totally agree. I think it is funny as hell to hear fans say that we need to respect opponents and take the games one at a time. We are fans, not players. We dont have to take anything from anybody and can look as far ahead as we want. You know why? Cause we have zero bearing on the actual games. Nothing we do actually affects anything during the week and especially during the games. We as fans should say that the team better destroy Indiana, if we didnt than i would assume our fans are a bunch of pansies.

 

[JHHawk]

IU did play well for a stretch vs the ILLini and actually led in that game for awhile. Against PSU they hung around and did have the ball down six late in the game.
And vs Wisky,the score was 0-0 for the first 12 minutes of the game.

So,for short stretches they can hang tough,but then eventually,they have crumbled. Lets hope we come out firing and put the down early,so they never get any life.

When you look at the schedules of the Big Ten teams, it is clear that IU and Minny could easily go winless, as they do not meet. That does free up a lot of wins for the rest of the league to get bowl eligible....and PU could go 2-6 with their only wins being over IU and Minny. Now,don't panic,I am not saying that I am assuming an Iowa win over PU,our hated rival, at this early junture in the season,but checking their schedule they are 1-1 with their next 5 games being against: Ill,Mich,Wis,OSU,Iowa....which is kind of a tough stretch. I think they might just be a bit beat down by the time Iowa comes to town. The good news? They get IU in that last game.

 

[homerHAWKeye777]

Yeah, close loss to Ball State, close loss to North Texas when they were down 24-0 at one point.

This is a bad football team and if this is a close game in Kinnick on Saturday, it will be a big disappointment.

There are only three teams in the nation with a worse rush defense than Indiana. Indiana's run defense is worst in the Big Ten by 55 yards per game! 227 rushing yards per game allowed.

If you can't stop the run against Iowa, you have no shot. So they will have to sell out and be very aggressive. They don't have the personnel to manage on the backside in doing that.

Here is a link to their NCAA stat ranks

This team flat stinks. They are also 101 in tackles for loss, 105 in sacks, then 107 in sacks allowed on the other side.

It takes character to fight back after you dig yourself into that sort of hole.

As a recall folks were talkin' about how much Iowa sucked in '09 ... because just look at how we struggled with the likes of UNI, Arkansas State, and Purdue .... and yet look at how dominating the Hawks were in the Orange Bowl!

Indiana is in transition right now ... definitely a team that is also reeling after some lopsided defeats.

However, while folks have been quick to point out how the Hoosiers have lost to some absolutely terrible teams ... the Hoosiers also played Penn State and Virginia awfully close! While neither PSU or Virginia are world-beaters ... neither are bad teams either.

On paper, Iowa should definitely win ... and, heck, maybe even by a margin. However, if Indiana fights like they did earlier in the season ... they could provide a lot more resistance than many Hawk fans seem to suppose.

 

[JonDMiller]

Indiana and Minnesota both have athletic quarterbacks who can give our defense headaches for an entire game. These are not "sure things", or "automatic wins". Fans have to respect their opponents.

They might, but neither has shown it on the field in winning time.