2011-2012 Football Previews – Big 10 Conference – Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers have battled to try to turn around their football program for quite a few years. Terry Hoeppner seemed to be the man who could do the job, but he tragically passed away in 2007 at the young age of 57.
Big Ten Conference 2011-2012 Football Previews: Indiana Hoosiers
Head Coach: Kevin Wilson
2010 Record: 5-7
Indiana Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS: +15,000 (Part of Field)
Indiana Odds from JustBet to win Big Ten Leaders Division: +1,300
Indiana Odds from JustBet to win Big Ten Conference Championship: +7,500
Indiana Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>
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Bill Lynch attempted to keep the program going in the right direction, but last year the Hoosiers went 1-7 inside the conference. The athletic department decided it was time for a fresh start, so they hired Kevin Wilson.
Wilson has been the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma the last few years. The Sooners offense thrived under his leadership, and Indiana is hopeful that Wilson can create a whole new attitude around the Hoosiers football program.
This won’t be an easy project, and most fans realize it will take some time.
Team Strengths:
The defensive line returns just about everyone, and they have the ability to be the best defensive line Indiana has had in years. Adam Replogle and Larry Black are both big guys who should do a great job at the defensive tackle positions. On the outside, Darius Johnson led the team with 4.5 sacks last year.
Indiana is deep on the front line of the defense, and they should improve quite a bit from last year in this area.
The Hoosiers have some play makers at the skill positions on offense. Wide receiver DeMarlo Belcher may be best remembered for his last minute drop against Iowa last year, but I expect him to come out and prove how great of a wideout he is this year. Kofi Hughes is another young wide receiver who has the ability to turn into a star.
Running back Darius Willis has shown plenty of potential, and he could help the team establish a running game this season.
Team Weaknesses:
The secondary was absolutely awful last year, and there is no reason to think that they will be any better this year. Indiana was easily the worst ranked pass defense in the Big Ten last season. Right now it is unclear who will start at the two cornerback positions, and the safety positions are going to be filled by inexperienced players as well. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
This unit will likely be lit up by good passing attacks.
The Indiana offensive line has a good leader at center, but other than that there are quite a few question marks.
Indiana ranked dead last in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game last season. If they are going to be more successful, they absolutely must get some better production from the running game.
Can the offensive line open up holes on a consistent basis?
The Indiana defense has been prone to allowing huge games by the opposition in the last few years. Last year, the Hoosiers gave up 34 points to Arkansas State. They also allowed 41 to a poor Penn State offense.
They then topped it all by allowing a ridiculous 83 points against Wisconsin. Obviously, if the defense doesn’t take care of business it will be tough to make any real progress.
2011-2012 Indiana Football Prediction: 4-8
The Hoosiers lost a lot of production from last year’s offense, and I don’t think this year’s team will have the same amount of firepower.
At the same time, the defense is still a real problem. I think Indiana will probably start out well because of their weak non-conference schedule, but the real test will come in conference play.
Look for Indiana to finish at or very near the bottom of the Leaders Division.
2011 Indiana Hoosiers Schedule
9/3/11 12:00 PM ET BALST
9/10/11 7:00 PM ET VIRG
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET SCSU
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @NOTEX
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET PENST
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET ILL
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @WISC
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET @IOWA
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET NWEST
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET @OHIST
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET @MCHST
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET PURD
