1. One thing the media will harp on that is ridiculously off base –Ummmm… well… going to have to stretch it here, but here goes: From an X’s and O’s standpoint, the Hoosiers are implementing a no-huddle offense after meeting with the Colts and Oregon this off-season… expect this to be mentioned Twentity Hundred times per broadcast. Add to this that their OC is named Matt Canada (I wish I was joking) and well… groan worthy broadcast moments a plenty to follow, eh? Hey-o, see there’s one already. Perhaps some of the media will focus a bit much on this team’s run to the bowls last year as some sort of starting point for a move up from the cellar of the Big 10. Make no mistake that 2007 was as good as IU football has been since the Mallory years, but that said, things aren’t exactly going to be building up from last year.
2. One thing the media will completely ignore that is integral to this team's success – Austin Starr! The guy was a Lou Groza finalist and on multiple All-American lists! I only had to read about 15 different pieces on the Hoosiers before noticing this… I’m giving the kicker his due here….
3. Most important contributors on each side of the ball –Ahhh ok, duh, Kellen Lewis… 3000+ passing yards, 700+ rushing yards will do that. IU was 3rd in the conference in scoring offense… he’s why. On defense, Austin Thomas, the team’s leading tackler will most likely be the key component of the unit.
4. Area that scares you as an opponent – Is Kellen Lewis an area? He is now. He’s the classic Antwaan Randle-El case of “imagine if he played on a team where he wasn’t THE ONLY PLAYER ON THE FIELD!”
5. Area that makes you salivate as an opponent – Karma and professional decorum merit a genuine response here… Let’s put it this way: IU loses Hardy to Sunday play and/or cleaning up highways in orange attire, James Bailey is transferring which means that, uh, like who’s going to catch the occasional spiral? Although, speaking of spirals, apparently Kellen Lewis can’t behave well enough to continue in his role as one man offense at least for the spring-time… and of course his alter-ego role as fumble machine for the Hurryin’ Hoosiers in at least one appearance this year. Check out around the 1:05 mark for some fantastic all around play here... O-line? We don't need no stinkin' O-line!
6. Random factor that you think will come into play this season – Indiana’s first down celebration… which if I’m correct is called “the first down march”… it really looks like a bunch of people reaching up to milk a cow… it’s working hard at making a run for the WORST first down celebration* in the conference, although it’ll take a mighty effort to knock of the reigning champs… This might be the most intriguing sub-plot of their season.
*First down celebrations that involve anything more than the band and your team’s normal cheer are slaps in the face of the football gods and will be punished accordingly.
7. Overall Record – IU has something resembling a habit of losing a non-conference game to an absolute nobody (not that there’s anything wrong with that)… so taking that into account, and the unholy beating that Central Michigan will likely administer to them, and adding in the fact that I think 3 conference wins is perhaps the upper limit of reasonable here, my spring-time prediction is that Indiana is a 5-7 football team.
8. Final Big Ten Standing – Mmmmmmmm…. 9th sounds about right here.
9. Bowl Game Destination – None. God help us all if a 5-7 team gets into a bowl game. Wait has that happened? Don’t tell me, I don’t want to know.
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