2010 Season Outlook

The Hoosiers already sit at 1-0 but what does the rest of the season look like for this Hoosier squad? Over the past couple of years there have been a handful of strides made for the football program. With the completion of the North Endzone Project, not only has the game day experience improved dramatically but the Hoosier staff has been able to get a major upgrade on the recruiting front. Everything is starting to lineup for the Hoosiers to be a successful program so it is incredibly important the Hoosiers get some wins this year to keep up the momentum.

The Hoosiers sit at 1-0, here is my outlook for the rest of the year.

9/18 @ WKU- (2-0) Another warm up game for the Hoosiers. It will be a good test for them just to get some experience playing on the road. WKU is an inferior team and the Hoosiers should have no problem taking care of business.

9/25 vs. Akron- (3-0) The Hoosiers keep rolling through there non-conference schedule and prove to be too much for the Zips. This is essentially the Hoosiers last warm up game to get all the kinks out before Big Ten play begins.

10/2 vs. Michigan- (3-1) A very difficult game to pick here. Michigan had a great showing last week against UCONN. I am pulling for the revenge game and hope that the Hoosiers offense puts up a lot of points. I think Denard Robinson just proves to be too much for the Hoosier defense and Michigan barely comes away with the victory.

10/9 @ OSU- (3-2) Terrelle Pryor and the Buckeyes are just too much to handle for the Hoosiers. The Hoosiers play them tight in the first half but can’t stick with them in the second.

10/16 vs. Arkansas State- (4-2) The Hoosiers bowl hopes get back on track during there Homecoming weekend. The Hoosiers recover from there defeat against the Buckeyes and look forward to there meeting at Illinois.

10/23 @ Illinois- (5-2) The Hoosiers generally have a tough time on the road in Big Ten play but they grind out this one against a struggling Illini team for the victory. The Illini RS Freshman QB is making good strides at this point but the Hoosiers offense continues to be difficult to stop. The Hoosiers squeak this one out to get 1 game away from becoming bowl eligible.

10/30 vs. NU- (6-2) The Hoosiers continue there fast start and handle the Wildcats at home. The Hoosiers remember what happened last year and don’t let it repeat again this year. The Hoosiers play well at Memorial Stadium and optimism is starting to pour from Bloomington.

11/6 vs. Iowa- (6-3) The Hoosiers get some sort of reality check when the Hawkeyes come in to town. Iowa’s running game and offensive line gives the Hoosier defense some problems. Iowa does a good job defending the Hoosiers offense and they hold off a late scare for the victory in Bloomington.

11/13 @ Wisc- (6-4) Wisconsin RB’s John Clay and Montee Ball prove to be too much for the Hoosier squad as Wisconsin plays an all-around solid game to fend off the Hoosiers at home. The Hoosier offense puts up a decent fight but Wisconsin’s running attack and offensive line proves to be too much.

11/20 vs. PSU- (6-5) The Hoosiers have a great experience playing in an NFL stadium but fail to record there first ever victory against PSU. The Hoosiers do play them tough but PSU running back Evan Royster and the passing game get rolling down the stretch.

11/27 @ Purdue- (7-5) The Hoosier get that 7th win to guarantee a trip to a bowl game. The Hoosiers avenge the loss from last year and go out in good fashion. The Hoosier program continues to be on the upswing as the Hoosiers play in there second bowl game in four seasons.

There are a handful of games that I can see going either way. In the end though I think 7-5 is a realistic option for this years Hoosier squad.  Best case scenario I can see the Hoosiers stealing one more and going 8-4 to get them to a very good bowl game, however I can also see them going 6-6 if they can’t pull off each victory that I stated above. I really want to pick them against Michigan but it is very difficult after there showing against UCONN. Illinois and Northwestern are going to prove to be crucial games and I can see the Hoosier splitting and taking one of those which could lead them to a 6-6 record or a 7-5 if they win both games back to back weeks. Purdue is also a tough pick here simply because they play them on the road. PU is also making strides with there football program but I think the Hoosier offense (barring injuries) just proves to be too much for a handful of Big Ten opponents.

What do you guys think? Too bullish? Too Bearish? Let me hear your insights.