Confidence in Indiana Football, Kevin Wilson

Many Indiana Football fans recognizing and getting excited about the improvements Kevin Wilson has brought to the program.

Since the Big Ten was created in 1953, the Indiana Football program has only celebrated 12 winning seasons and just three bowl victories. A half-empty stadium, pathetic defense, and a tradition for losing have left the program an after-thought.

While the last two decades have been filled with a number of exciting offenses led by quarterbacks such as Antwan Randel-El, Kellen Lewis, Ben Chappel, and Nate Sudfeld, the defense has been a joke. The program cannot, and will not improve without a change on the other side of the field. Broken tackles and a susceptibility to fly routes has let opponent offenses continuously capitalize on big plays. When the Hoosier offense has to consecutively put up 50 plus points a game, it becomes hard to stay optimistic.

Teams no longer look at Indiana on the schedule and think, “Easy win.”

The last few seasons have been different, however. Teams no longer look at Indiana on the schedule and think, “Easy win.” When back-up quarterback Zander Diamont almost led the Hoosiers to a hard-fought win against one of the best teams in the nation, Ohio State, people started taking notes. Then, when Indiana took Michigan to double overtime in a game where, to be honest, they should have won in regulation, things started looking up.

After the Ohio State game, fans stayed and applauded the team for their efforts. As someone who has attended a number of games at Memorial Stadium, I can say with confidence that it does not happen all that often. If those two games swung Indiana’s way, along with holding on to what seemed like an un-blowable fourth quarter lead against Rutgers, they would have been 9-4 with two wins against football powerhouses. Most will say that dwelling on “what-ifs” is pointless, but clearly they have not suffered as much as Indiana football fans.

At least it seems that they are over losing pre-conference games. For years they were always guaranteed a loss to a Bowling Green, or a Navy, but perhaps they have outgrown that. It would be a big step toward reaching more bowl games.

Point being, there is an air of confidence surrounding Bloomington that the program has not experienced in some time. Kevin Wilson has seemed to win over the hearts of Hoosier fans with his gunslinging quarterbacks and disregard for punting on fourth downs. A number of recruits that would have never even considered IU are starting to sign and rosters are improving, albeit at a slow but understandable pace.

This upcoming season should be the best of Wilson’s campaign, but there is still a question mark at the QB position. Incoming Junior College transfer from Cisco College, Richard Lagow, seems to be the favorite to take over for Sudfeld and is competing with red-shirt sophomore Danny Cameron, as well as returning junior Zander Diamont.

Lagow is regarded for his pocket-passing, racking up over 4,500 yards and 38 touchdowns in his two years in Texas. While the competition will be much fiercer, Lagow seems like he was bred for Indiana’s style of play. Questions remain about Danny Cameron, but having Diamont ensures some sense of security, even if his run-first attitude leaves him extremely vulnerable to injury.

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Hoosier fans haven’t had to worry about the quarterback situation for some time, but with all-three starting wide receivers returning, as well as 1,000 yard rusher Devine Redding, there shouldn’t be too much to worry about offensively.

New defensive coordinator Tom Allen from South Florida will hope to be the defensive coordinator to final turn things around. His defense at South Florida only allowed, on average, 19.6 points per game last season; almost 18 less than Indiana. The Big Ten is a bigger stage than the AAC, but if he can destroy the reputation of the defense being soft, that would be a win in and of itself. Allen has connections in Indiana, having been the head coach of Ben Davis High School and obtaining a master’s degree from Indiana University.

Hoosier fans are actually looking forward to this season. That should reflect in the stands where, hopefully, the tailgaters actually come to the games instead of going home to watch them on TV. No game seems quite unwinnable and there is a big belief in what Kevin Wilson is doing with the program. Considering the schedule Indiana was dealt with last season, one would have to be confident that they could at least get seven wins, eight if we are being greedy.