Indiana Football Preview

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Now that Kevin Wilson has been on campus for a few months, what are your overall impressions of him?

Wilson brings a new perspective to Indiana Football and has a ‘we won’t accept losing’ attitude, which is something that the Hoosier program desperately needs. While many coaches in his shoes would be attempting to manage expectations in their first year on the job with a team that’s struggled in the past, he’s made it a point to raise expectations in both the fan base and the program itself. Coach Wilson has put together a top-flight coaching staff that knows how to win at the highest level and is saying all the right things to the media. He’s not a guy who is going to accept mediocrity, and if you’re not going to give him the best effort that you can, you’re not going to play. Coach Wilson has made a habit of not showing his cards regarding offensive and defensive schemes, but following the work he’s done at Oklahoma and Northwestern, that’s the least of our worries.

Ben Chappell put up over 3,000 yards passing and 24 TD last year. Who is going to replace him?

It’s difficult to replace a guy like Chappell who the entire offense was based around last year due to the lack of a serious option in the run game. There is talent at the QB spot, but it is inexperienced talent. This is going to be a QB battle that might last until the first game against Ball State this fall.

While Junior Adam Follett could figure in to the race, the battle will likely come down to who out of Redshirt Sophomores Ed Wright-Baker and Dusty Kiel can separate themselves during summer ball. While both are QBs with strong arms who can run when called upon, the offense seemed to run faster and smoother under Kiel (speed being a major factor of the Kevin Wilson system) yet Ed showed the ability to improvise under pressure. I have a strong feeling that Kiel will win the job for the fall, but the coaching staff has kept such a tight lid over everything that very little would surprise me in this race.

Indiana gave up 34 points per game last year. Who needs to step up on defense this year?

Easy answer would be to say everyone needs to step up. However, Indiana had some major issues with the pass rush and defensive secondary this past year that may have been due partially to scheme.

At the outset of last year, Indiana switched to a sort of hybrid 3-4 that was both and neither at the same time, asking guys on the D-Line that had explosiveness as their best attribute to put on a good amount of weight, thus losing what made them good players in the first place. The D-Line has slimmed down, and there’s a good amount of talent there, particularly at the DT spot where Larry Black Jr, Adam Replogle, and Nick Sliger and Mick Mentzer all return. At DE, we’ll need a couple of guys to step up, but I think that the line will be a position of strength this year.

Corners and Safeties will benefit from the change in scheme. In the past, opposing QBs talked about our system being “too predictable”, often being able to nickel and dime us down the field. Cover guys like Lawrence Barnett and underrated Cornerback/Safety Greg Heban will perform much better in the new system.

Will Indiana have an elite Defense next year? It’s not likely. However, it’s very possible that Indiana is able to improve the defense to the point where the offense can outscore some teams, and that’s when IU will turn the corner. Indiana will have to find someone to step up at defensive end that will be able to pressure opposing QB’s which would also take some pressure off of our secondary.

Who are some newcomers that you think can come in and help the Hoosiers immediately?

As Bill Lynch made it a habit to Redshirt just about everyone, it’s likely that several of the talented RS Frosh see some time this year.

There was high praise for LB Chase Hoobler’s play in practice last fall, enough that there were thoughts of taking him off redshirt. With Tyler Replogle graduating the Hoosier’s will have to find a younger guy to step up and fill the void and complement likely returning starters Jeff Thomas and Leon Beckum.

RB Matt Perez is tough. He doesn’t have top-level high end speed, but he follows his blocks well and finds ways to pop through a hole with nice cutting ability and good speed out of breaks. While RB Darius Willis has shown a great amount of potential, he has made a home for himself on the Injured List, so if Willis isn’t ready to go, look for Perez to take some carries this fall.

Indiana needs help all over the Defense. It’s likely that talented incoming Frosh DE Jake Reed sees some time in a rotation to help improve the Hoosier pass rush. Reed has a very high motor and ability to come off the edge quickly which is something the Hoosiers need to improve upon. DB Flo Hardin also may see some time as he comes in with a Big Ten-ready body and shows nice skill in coverage. IU also could use some help with O-Line depth, and True Frosh Ralston Evans could figure in to the conversation there as he joined the team for Spring Practice and impressed.

Also look for WR Shane Wynn to see some time on Special Teams, even if he doesn’t get much time in the slot. Wynn is a jitterbug 5’6 WR who has great elusiveness and speed.

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