2011 Indiana Football Predictions
Written by Patrick Webb - Google +
Indiana heads into the new Big Ten with several new faces. Coach Bill Lynch was replaced with former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, who has some Big Ten coaching experience (Northwestern offensive coordinator 99-01). The Hoosiers also have to replace QB Ben Chappell (3,295 yards, 24/9 TD/INT), WRs Tandon Doss and Terrance Turner (combined 130 rec., 1387 yards, 10 TDs), leading rusher Trea Burgess (352 carries/3.4 ypc /3 TD) and two starters from the offensive line- James Brewer (4th round NFL pick) and Aaron Price. Indiana did most of their scoring last season in the non-conference portion of their schedule, putting up 35+ points in each of those four games, while scoring only 20.8 points per game in the Big Ten including being held to 20 points or less in five contests.
The Hoosiers enter the season with question marks at QB. A competition between Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker will likely last throughout the fall camp and both have to absorb a new offense. Indiana has a couple of pieces in place to jump-start the rushing offense with Darius Willis, Nick Turner and Antonio Banks returning at TB. The Hoosiers also return skilled WR Damarlo Belcher, who was productive last season (78 rec., 832 yards, 3TD) and has excellent size at 6’5″ 214lbs. Rising WR Duwyce Wilson seems ready to step into a larger role, and have a gifted pass catcher in TE Ted Bolser (27 rec., 407 yards, 5TDs). Returning for 2011, Indiana will have center Will Matte, who is a two year starter, along with Justin Pagan, who can play either guard or tackle and boasts 26 career starts, plus last season’s LT Andrew McDonald, who started 11 games last season. Marc Damish will likely man one of the guard spots for the Hoosiers as he started 6 games last season at both left and right guard.
The Hoosiers have some big adjustments to make in 2011 on offense. Last season they ran a lot of Pistol formations, but are learning new spread concepts as they are aiming to increase the tempo of the offense under Wilson. Co-OCs Kevin Johnson and Rod Smith both have Big Ten resumes (Northwestern for Johnson and Michigan for Smith) and Smith especially could help bring some punch to the running game.
The Hoosier defense loses leading tackler LB Ty Replogle (87 tackles, 6 TFL), SS Mitch Evans (a jack of all trades who has played WR, QB, and S in his 5 seasons at Indiana), 3 CBs with starting experience in Ernest, Council and Burks, as well as DE Terrance Thomas. Indiana allowed 150+ rushing yards in 6 of their 8 conference games, including 297 to Michigan and 338 to Wisconsin. This defense also also allowed 155 points over their last 3 games, including 83 to Wisconsin.
The Hoosiers bring back a solid foundation to improve their rush defense, as they return all 4 DTs from their rotation, plus DE Darius Johnson, MLB Jeff Thomas (6.5 TFL, 2 INT) and LB Leon Beckum (69 tackels/6 TFL). This team will have a makeover in the secondary, however, as only FS Greg Heban returns in a starting capacity. Donnell Jones, Lenyatta Kiles and Chris Adkins boast solid playing time, but so far only Kiles is at the top of the depth chart. The Hoosiers need the defensive unit to step up and create pressure this year. They forced only 6 turnovers in conference play last season.
The Hoosiers return Mitch Ewald at PK. He was very effective as a red shirt freshman last season, going 16/19 with a long of 49. Punter Will Hagerup had a net of 32.8 yards per punt last season and is entering his fourth season as the punter. He had 3 punts blocked last season and could be pushed by Adam Pines. The loss of Doss could be even bigger as he was an excellent return man, averaging 24.6 yards per return last season. Indiana can turn to Nick Turner at KO, but will be breaking in a new punt returner this season.
Schedule analysis: The Hoosiers will start the season off at a neutral site game versus Ball State at Lucas Oil Stadium. They then entertain ACC school Virginia, as well as FCS school South Carolina State, and will finally wrap up the non-conference schedule with a trip to North Texas. Indiana’s conference slate is brutal. They open the season with home games versus Penn State and Illinois, and follow that with back-to-back roadies at Wisconsin and Iowa. They then return to Bloomington to face Northwestern before heading to Ohio State. Following a bye, they play at Michigan State and face off with Purdue in the season finale. Indiana will likely be an underdog in 7 of 8 conference games and could be an underdog in 2 of their non conference games. I see a 3-1 non conference record for the Hoosiers, followed by a 1-7 record in the Big Ten.
Final Record Predictions: 4-8 Overall (1-7 Big Ten – Last in the Big Ten Leaders Division)
| Big Ten Football Predictions by Team | |
| Illinois Fighting Illini | Indiana Football Predictions |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | Penn State Nittany Lions |
| Purdue Boilermakers | Wisconsin Badgers |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | Michigan Wolverines |
| Michigan State Spartans | Minnesota Golden Gophers |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | Northwestern Wildcats |
| College Football Predictions | |
| ACC | Big 12 |
| Conference USA | Independents |
| PAC 12 | SEC |
| Big East | Big Ten |
| MAC | Mountain West |
| Sun Belt | WAC |
Additional Resources:
- Bettors World – A preview of why the Hoosier season doesn’t look too promising.
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