Ad Disclosure
Indiana returns a bulk of its personnel from last season’s magical ride, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t concerns.
Perhaps, one could argue, the concerns are increased, because the expectation level is so much higher.
Let’s take a look at 5 of the biggest concerns as we near the start of the season.
1. Penix’s knees (and everything else)
If this isn’t the No. 1 concern on any Indiana fan’s list, then they’re lying. Star quarterback Michael Penix is the catalyst for the Hoosiers’ offensive operation, with his penchant for creating big plays in the passing game and his ability to force defenses off-balance with his feet, along with his improvisation skills that can keep plays alive.
But if he’s sidelined, like he’s been at the end of his last 3 seasons, then the Hoosiers’ ceiling lowers significantly. Could they still win? Well, yes. Could they still win the East? Well, no.
Indiana will try to ease Penix back during training camp, having him as a full participant but in a blue (non-contact) jersey. The problem is that Penix has been injured on rather ordinary plays, with a scamper up the right sideline vs. Maryland last season resulting — somehow — in a torn ACL. It’s not as if Nick Sheridan can put cement blocks on Penix’s feet to prevent him from moving; Penix’s shiftiness in and out of the pocket might be his biggest asset, especially in combination with his ability to concurrently keep his eyes downfield to make big plays.
It’s a balancing act, and one we’ll be watching closely all season.
2. The season’s start
The Hoosiers want to keep up the momentum of last season — let’s all agree to forget about the Ole Miss debacle for a moment — but will be challenged to do so.
Indiana is likely to open as an underdog at Iowa, with the Hawkeyes riding a 6-game winning streak into 2021. Then, after what should be a gimme in Week 2 (the home opener vs. Idaho), the Hoosiers host Cincinnati, whose only loss last season after 9 straight wins was a 3-point defeat to Georgia in the New Year’s Day Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.
Not easy.
Indiana certainly could win all three, but losing two isn’t out of the realm of possibility either. And what would a slow start mean to the Hoosiers’ psyche? It could be especially damaging considering what happened vs. the Rebels in early January.
3. Keeping continuity
A year ago, Indiana had to adjust to a new offensive coordinator.
This season, it’s a new man on the defensive side, with Charlton Warren taking over at coordinator.
But this kind of turnover — Kalen DeBoer left to become the head coach at Fresno State and Kane Wommack at South Alabama — is expected at a program that seems headed in the right direction. It’s how the program adjusts that determines whether it stays that way.
It helps the Hoosiers that Tom Allen is a defensive guy who wants to maintain influence on that side of the ball. Allen, who coordinated Indiana’s defense during his first 2 seasons as IU’s head coach, continues to sit in on meetings, most frequently with the linebackers.
So Warren is going to have to find a balance, keeping in place what Wommack had done so well while adhering to the will of a hands-on head coach and also putting his own stamp on IU’s brand of defensive football.
4. Running game gets running
A way to protect Penix is to have an effective running game, one that will keep the defense’s pass rush at bay while also limiting the frequently of QB scrambles.
But does Indiana have the personnel to improve upon what was the Big Ten’s 3rd-worst rushing attack last season, when it averaged only 108.6 yards per game (almost 23 yards less, per game, than the next-best rushing offense), and only 2.7 yards per carry. Workhorse back Stevie Scott III is departed, leaving IU with largely unproven — but potentially promising — options at the position.
Allen was non-committal on the running back rotation for the start of camp, but clearly at least 3 backs, and perhaps 4, will get opportunities with the first unit: The top candidates are returnees Tim Baldwin Jr., Sampson James and David Ellis, a converted wide receiver, and USC transfer Stephen Carr.
Scott was an excellent physical between-the-tackles runner, a reason why he was so effective inside the red zone. But the Hoosiers want to be more dynamic, adding speed and elusiveness to the backfield.
But if Indiana can’t do so, and again has to rely too much on Penix, then it’s a detriment to the QB’s health and the Hoosiers’ season.
5. No more surprises
Indiana isn’t going to sneak up on anyone this season.
It’s not going to catch Penn State off guard. It’s got Michigan’s attention. When Ohio State rolls into Bloomington on Oct. 23, the Buckeyes will sure know that it might be the biggest home game at Indiana’s Memorial Stadium in at least 2 decades, probably longer. Heck, maybe a half century.
Michigan is going to have revenge on its mind. Purdue will want to show that it’s not fading in the rivalry.
The Hoosiers are going to need to adjust, from Day 1, to getting the best from opponents every week.
Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.