The Indiana Hoosiers finally made a bowl game last season after a year of ups and downs. It should have been cause for celebration, but that reality quickly turned into something dark when it was revealed that head coach Kevin Wilson was plainly neglectful of player safety, not following proper procedures for players with questionable health. He ignored the right guidelines and went far over the line in terms of not being careful with the players under his care. He left and took an assistant coaching position at Ohio State. Indiana must find a way to regroup under this adjustment in 2017.
How Did They End 2016
The Hoosiers won their 12th game of the season, the Old Oaken Bucket game against in-state archrival Purdue, 26-24, to post a 6-6 record and earn a bowl bid. Indiana had hovered near the .500 mark in previous seasons, so getting the bowl win certainly felt good, a relief after a long and trying year. Indiana played a lot of good teams tough and close, so at the very minimum, the team expected a bowl. The Purdue escape delivered that goal, but Indiana would not have been in position to make a bowl had it not rallied to win a couple of tough six-point games against Maryland (42-36) or Rutgers (33-27). Indiana played up to its better competition and down to its lower competition. The Hoosiers seem to be a magnet for close games. Winning enough of them will lead to success.
Offseason Changes
Tom Allen, the team’s defensive coordinator last season, stepped in and was appointed the full-time (permament) head coach after Kevin Wilson resigned in the wake of an IU investigation into his handling of player safety concerns. Allen did a great job of improving Indiana’s defense, so that side of the ball should be relatively solid for the Hoosiers. The greater concern is on offense, where Mike DeBord is the new offensive coordinator, moving from that same position at the University of Tennessee. The Vols had a very disappointing 2016 season with DeBord as their play caller, so it is a point of worry that DeBord is not what the Hoosiers need this year. He will be under a lot of pressure to get the job done.
Team X-Factor
Camion Patrick is in place of acclaimed rusher Devine Redding. Given the change of offensive coordinators, Indiana needs players to step up and make the play-selection process easier. If a dominant running back can emerge, the coaches don’t need to worry nearly as much about finding the right combinations of players or the right sequences of plays. Redding was a highly productive back, so he leaves some big shoes to fill. Patrick has to come up with a big season for Indiana to feel confident about a bowl game.
What To Expect From The Hoosiers This Year
The Hoosiers will very likely be near .500 – they always seem to be within striking distance of a bowl game, but they never win enough close games to comfortably reach a bowl. It’s a matter of winning the close games.
Record Last 5 Seasons
2016: 6-7
2015: 6-7
2014: 4-8
2013: 5-7
2012: 4-8
Schedule and Outlook
Indiana is likely looking at a beat down in Week 1 when Ohio State visits, but the good news is they should have a few weeks to recover. They’ll go to Virginia in Week 2, which is a winnable game, and then they’ll host Florida International and Georgia Southern. They’ll get two wins but expecting more beyond that is an optimistic view. From there, they have Michigan and Penn State in back-to-back weeks.
The Big Ten is so deep and strong that Indiana will have a tough time getting back to six wins. Maryland should be better than last year. Purdue should be better. Michigan State should be better. Indiana will need to beat Michigan State, Purdue and (out of conference) Virginia to return to a bowl. It’s hard to think IU will win all three games, maybe only two… which means a 5-7 record. That means go under. They won’t reach seven wins.
Regular Season Win Total Prediction: Under 6
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