No. 21 – Indiana Hoosiers Season Preview

Can Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers build off a wildly successful 2020 campaign? The Hoosiers shocked everyone last year. They stunned Penn State in their season opener, and they also knocked off Michigan and Wisconsin on their way to a 6-1 record in the Big Ten. Their only loss in the regular season came to eventual conference champions Ohio State, and the Hoosiers gave the Buckeyes all they could handle in a 42-35 loss in Columbus.

Indiana is expected to take a step back this season, but the length of the backstep is up for debate. Allen has created an excellent culture during his four seasons in Bloomington. The Hoosiers return a lot of starters, and that will have them competitive in the Big Ten once more in 2021.

Indiana Regular Season Win Total

Over 7.5 Wins -115

Under 7.5 Wins -115

OFFENSE

The health of Michael Penix Jr. is the big concern for the Hoosiers coming into the 2021 season. Penix tore his ACL in Indiana’s win over Maryland in late November. He has been rehabbing the injury all offseason, and he is currently in line to start the season opener against Iowa. However, Penix has suffered a season-ending injury in each of his three seasons under center for Indiana.

This offense needs a healthy Penix in order to thrive. Penix was superb at the helm last year, but Jack Tuttle wasn’t nearly as explosive. Although Tuttle completed more of his passes than Penix (61.1% to 56.4%), he averaged just 5.0 YPA compared to 7.5 YPA for Penix.

These receivers should be some of the best in the Big Ten. Although Whop Philyor is now in the NFL, Ty Fryfogle emerged as the No. 1 wide out for the Hoosiers in 2020 with 37 receptions for 721 yards and seven touchdowns. Miles Marshall is another big play threat on the perimeter, while Florida State transfer D.J. Matthews should provide Penix with another solid option.

We need to see more out of the ground game. Stevie Scott III averaged just 3.6 YPC as the leading rusher in 2020, as the offensive line struggled to get to the second level. This unit was much better at pass blocking, but they are looking for more balance.

DEFENSE

There is a new defensive coordinator in charge after Kane Wommack became the head coach at South Alabama in the offseason. Charlton Warren has spent the last seven years as a secondary coach for various Power Five programs. He will stick with the 4-2-5 scheme that has brought the Hoosiers success.

Micah McFadden is a star in the middle of this defense. McFadden was named First Team All-Big Ten in 2020 and led the Hoosiers with 58 tackles, six sacks, and four tackles for loss. Cam Jones is solid at the other linebacker spot, and Marcelino Ball-McCrary has flourished in the hybrid role.

This defensive line is expected to be one of the better units in the conference too. Ryder Anderson transferred in from Ole Miss and should make an instant impact, and Weston Kramer figures to play a big role after thriving at Northern Illinois.

It won’t be easy to replace safety Jamar Johnson, but Tiawan Mullen was a First Team All-American at cornerback in 2020. Mullen is a shutdown corner that can lock down one side of the field, allowing the safeties to rotate and help others. Devon Matthews is a very good strong safety too.

SCHEDULE

Indiana has a rather difficult schedule. The Hoosiers must go on the road to face Iowa in their season opener on September 4, and they take on probably the toughest Group of Five program in Cincinnati two weeks later. They head on the road to face Western Kentucky and Penn State in back-to-back weeks before their first break, and they must go on the road to face Michigan and Purdue in November.

PREDICTION

If the Hoosiers win their first three games, they have a decent chance at securing their first double-digit win season in program history. A lot depends on a healthy Penix though. This offense is not the same with Tuttle under center, so Penix must stay healthy for this team to win at least eight games.

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