First Look: Indiana Hoosiers

How crazy has college football gotten the last few seasons? Indiana went to a bowl game last year. Not since 1993 have the Hoosiers gone to the post season. And it couldn’t have come at a better time for the program. Head coach Terry Hoeppner--following a long battle with a brain tumor--passed away last summer, but he still left a strong footprint with the Indiana players, coaches and fans. Lost in other, more mainstream story-lines, Indiana’s bowl appearance was probably the biggest feel-good story of 2007. When Bill Lynch took over, he made it a priority to fulfill Hoeppner’s team motto to “Play 13.” He did just that. A 7-6 record doesn’t mean much for most other schools, but when a program endures 12 losing seasons, 17-41 record the previous five years, and the loss of its beloved leader, 7-6 seems about as good as 13-0. Now the question remains going into 2008: what’s next for the Indiana Hoosiers?

1. Lynch’s encore -- It was hard not to get caught up in what Indiana did in 2007, but I challenge anyone to name a tougher coaching job than in Bloomington last season. Lynch was rewarded with a head coaching contract, but the university must be patient with its new coach. This team is loaded with juniors and sophomores, which sets up nicely for a major run in 2009. Lynch is no stranger to being the head man, after leading Ball State to the MAC championship in 1996, and the MAC West title in 2001. He was also the offensive coordinator at Indiana for the last two seasons, and was the key architect of the Hoosiers’ potent spread-style attack. Now, if only Lynch can sure up the defense...

2. Speaking of defense -- Junior end Greg Middleton, Jr. emerged as the NCAA’s sack leader in 2007 with 16, on his way to 1st-Team Big Ten honors. The scary thing about this front four for IU is that three return on a line that logged more sacks than any other in Indiana’s history (42). This team will need every one of those sacks in 2008. With the loss of two very good corners in Leslie Majors (6 pbu, 2 int) and Tracy Porter (4 pbu, 6 int, drafted by Saints), quarterback pressure will make or break the entire defense this year. But all is not lost if the defense doesn’t shut out opponents, which is what used to be necessary (but never happened) for the Hoosiers to win. 2007 was the first year since 2001 in which Indiana actually outscored its opponents (305-298 in ’01, 412-370 in ‘07). Since the offense looks to remain a strength, the defense has to merely prevent the other team from lighting up the scoreboard.

3. Missing the Buckeyes -- Like Iowa last week, Indiana manages to miss out on playing Ohio State and Michigan in 2008. Ok, so not playing Ohio State is a very good thing for IU, but missing Michigan could be missing the chance to finally beat the Wolverines. Beyond that, nothing really jumps out about Indiana’s schedule for this season. There’s no reason the Hoosiers shouldn’t romp through their first three against 1A newcomer Western Kentucky, Murray State (AA) and Ball State. While the Cardinals look to be a good team in 2008, Indiana should get by just fine. Playing Michigan State at home in the Big Ten opener, followed by a trip to Minnesota, then home vs Iowa and at Illinois, IU’s realistic goal is to come out 1-3. That would set up IU for homecoming against Northwestern, then home against Central Michigan and Wisconsin before finishing the season at Penn State and at Purdue. The final stretch doesn’t look as promising as the beginning of the season, but pulling out a win or two (Northwestern and/or CMU?) and getting to 5-7 would keep IU respectable going into a promising 2009 campaign.

Next Week's First Look: Michigan State Spartans

-First Look: Iowa Hawkeyes
-First Look: Ohio State Buckeyes
-First Look: Michigan Wolverines
-First Look: Wisconsin Badgers
-First Look: Purdue Boilermakers
-First Look: Illinois Fighting Illini
-First Look: Temple Owls
-First Look: Syracuse Orange(men)
-First Look: Oregon State Beavers
-First Look: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers