Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Football vs Tennessee: 3 matchups to watch

By Alec Lasley

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 30: David Bell #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers catches a pass for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Tiawan Mullen #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers defends at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 30, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 30: David Bell #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers catches a pass for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter as Tiawan Mullen #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers defends at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 30, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 19: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers pulls in this reception against Jared Mayden #21 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 19: Jauan Jennings #15 of the Tennessee Volunteers pulls in this reception against Jared Mayden #21 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Tiawan Mullen vs Jauan Jennings

At the start of the season, I’m not sure anyone thought we would be sitting here as 2019 ends talking about Indiana’s bowl game in January and mentioning freshman cornerback Tiawan Mullen as a key player to the game. Yet, here we are.

Mullen, a 247Sports Freshman All-American, has exceeded expectations in 2019 and become one of the top overall stoppers in the entire country. With his 12 pass breakups on the season, ranked 16th in the NCAA and first amongst freshmen, Mullen was an absolute no-fly zone for the majority of the second half of the season.

Though he’s just 5-foot-10, Mullen does a terrific job at reading the QB’s eyes and gets a great jump on the ball more times than not. With his great footwork and physical play as well, he has become one of the top lockdown defensive backs in the college game.

Going up against Jauan Jennings for the Vols, Mullen will have his hands full. Jennings, who is suspended for the first half of the game, is fourth in the SEC in yards per catch (16.5) with a minimum of 40 receptions. Overall, Jennings has 57 catches for 943 yards on the season with eight touchdowns.

The senior wideout is one of the most consistent receivers in the entire country as he has had 50+ yards in nine of his 11 games this season. At 6-foot-3, he will have a major size advantage over Mullen, and though he doesn’t have great breakaway speed, he creates separation with his long strides and big frame.

Jennings will look to be a major part of the gameplan coming out of halftime, and while Mullen probably won’t be able to blank Jennings, it is crucial to limit the yards after the catch as he is one of the tougher wide receivers to bring down.

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