The Weekly Dosage- December 6th

Indianapolis Colts

Who are these guys and what happened to the Colts we know? These guys have lost three in a row now, unprecedented waters. Week after week, fans expect Indianapolis to win but not this year.

Sunday the Colts lost to the Cowboys who were doing so bad that they fired their head coach Wade Phillips weeks ago. The Colts lost in OT 38-35 in a very emotional late game.

Peyton Manning struggles have continued. He’s thrown 11 interceptions to eight touchdown in the last three weeks. Also, two picks have been returned for touchdowns in each of the last two weeks.

He admitted today that they can only move the ball when they pass. That’s a lot of pressure. There’s absolutely no running game so he has had to pass, forcing him to throw in places that are covered.

In the first nine games of the season, Manning threw just four interceptions. He is trying to do way to much at this point, overcompensating for a team that’s torn up by injuries. Jerraud Powers is the next crucial Colt injured. The Colts already have 14 players on injured reserve. His season may be done after exiting late in the game with a broken right arm. The other starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden was already inactive for Sunday’s game.

Taj Smith had a monster game in his first regular season appearance. He was on the practice squad in the preseason but had a hamstring injury since. The Colts resigned him this week and Sunday Smith scored on a block punt, and forced a fumble on a Cowboys kickoff return.

The Colts have four regular season games remaining and they all are big. A quick turnaround this week will be challenging, facing the Titans Thursday night. Four games, three divisions games, all must-win.

Indiana Pacers

The Pacers returned home this weekend from a four game road trip. The blue and gold split the four games, winners of the first two against the Lakers and Sacramento. The Lakers win was especially big after just beating the Heat on the road six days earlier.

The Utah loss was not a big shock but the team gave up a potential win at Phoenix. Indiana led most of the way but a lack of focus, and maybe a bit anxious to return home cost the Pacers from going a strong 3-1 on the first big road trip.

This week features four games, two at home and two on the road. All against formidable opponents and matchups that favor the Pacers. They should take care of both Toronto and Charlotte at home. This young core is coming together and putting a special tag on this team.

The Pacers are currently seventh in the conference and second in the division behind Chicago at 9-9.

Indiana Football

Nothing new on this front. The big news continues to be the head coaching vacancy. Now a week removed from the firing of Bill Lynch, athletic director Fred Glass has interviewed multiple candidates and I expect more to come this week. Glass will do his research and background checks but I believe he will pick a guy that can take this program to the next level.

I refuse to speculate who IU should or will pick because that’s merely a waste of words. Nobody knows for sure what or who Glass is looking for. Minnesota announced the hiring of Northern Illinois head coach Jerry Kill Sunday. The sooner an announcement for Indiana allows the new coach more time to recruit and gain ground in the state.

Indiana Basketball

The Hoosiers split a pair of games this week. First 88-76 at Boston College in the Hoosiers’ first true test and first road game. Despite the loss, they rallied and believed in themselves throughout the game. Unlike the past two seasons, IU went back and forth with the opponent in a close game and didn’t foil. However BC countered every Indiana run.

Saturday Indiana topped Savannah State 79-57 in a rather boring game. Verdell Jones continues to be the strong leader for IU and Maurice Creek looks stronger with every game. This team is shaping up very nicely with Christian Watford and freshman Victor Oladipo. Oladipo is the crowd favorite, providing a spark with his dunks and blocks as the first player off the bench.

Indiana has a week off until their next opponent Saturday, traveling down to Rupp Arena to face the Kentucky Wildcats. No. 11 Kentucky is coming off a loss to North Carolina and plays Wednesday against Notre Dame prior to hosting the Hoosiers.

Worthy of mention

Two other big wins at Indiana University this weekend.

First, the volleyball team advanced to the NCAA sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The Hoosiers at 23-11 are an exciting team to watch. Friday IU topped No. 19 University of Miami in five sets, and followed that up with another five setter Saturday against 11th-ranked Tennessee. The All-American Ashley Benson absolutely kills the ball and destroys the opponent.

Sherry Dunbar has really built this program from the bottom up. The Hoosiers face USC Friday in Dayton, Ohio at 4 pm.

Secondly, the women’s basketball team earned another huge program win knocking off a future Big Ten opponent. IU defeated 19th ranked Nebraksa 67-61. The win broke the Huskers 37 regular season game win streak. That Nebraska team won 30 games in a row last year, and was a number one seed in the NCAA tournament last year. Another quality win for IU, their third in a row and in front a national television audience on the Big Ten Network.

Coach Jack’s team returns to the the court Thursday hosting Miami of Ohio to Assembly Hall. I will be calling the game live on the BigTenNetwork.com and it will air on the network Friday at 2 pm. Tune in if you can.

One Response to The Weekly Dosage- December 6th
  1. Dau Hieu
    October 31, 2015 | 5:12 am

    Have you ever considered writing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites?
    I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work.
    If you are even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an email.

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