At 1-6 and winless in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers are obviously desperate for a victory. Indiana is on the road for the second straight week, this time at Iowa for their fourth conference clash.
Stephen Houston takes the handoff from Dusty Kiel.
It’s been tough watching IU football I’ll admit. First-year head coach Kevin Wilson and staff have been instilling their system with mostly guys they were handed plus a few of their own. That is part of the encouraging side of things — Wilson has made his own rookie mistakes as head coach and not only does the staff have to get comfortable at IU but the players have to believe.
It probably was the most brilliant idea for marketing to whip out the “Win Today!” slogan in Wilson’s first year, knowing there would be big changes and growing pains.
Pointing out the most productive players on the field, most of them were the few late recruits Wilson was able to sign on. Junior-college transfer Stephen Houston has raddled off a couple productive games including 135 yards on the ground last week at Wisconsin. And true-freshman Mark Murphy recorded a team-high ten tackles.
It’s time for Kevin Wilson to designate a quarterback and stick with it. Neither Edward Wright-Baker, Dusty Kiel or Tre Roberson has particularly shined but there are too many negatives with the carousel they’ve been on this season. It is important to note Kiel right now is out of the mix because he’s not 100% after an injury in the Illinois ball game.
In this case, I think it’d be wise to roll with Tre Roberson from the start and give him the entire game. I don’t think he’s played more than a couple series straight all season. That inconsistency and the unknown of when either quarterback will play does not sit well and does not help whoever they pick. As a true-freshman, Roberson has the most upside on the field because of his ability to roll out of the pocket and also complete average passes down field. At least right now, Roberson is the future and so he needs ample time under center.
Roberson will be the first true-freshman to start in school history when he does Saturday at Iowa.
The Hoosiers will probably without their best offensive lineman in senior center Will Matte. He has a sprained MCL and is week-to-week. No. 1 receiver Damarlo Belcher will also miss time with a knee injury. On the bright side injury-wise, it appears linebacker Leon Beckum will return to the line after getting hurt in the second game of the season against Virginia.
I know fans are tired of hearing and reading it, but win or lose, I just want to see fight out of Indiana. I want to see them play smart, both from a play calling and executing standpoint, and also with their in-game adjustments. Indiana in the past has rarely had struggles offensively — the defense has always been at fault.
IU needs to be effective with the ball while on offense, using all of the weapons including Roberson, D’Angelo Roberts, Stephen Houston and Duwyce Wilson. At worst, get down in Iowa’s territory and settle for field goals on the leg for sure-thing Mitch Ewald.
If you’re looking for an opponent comparison, let’s look at Penn State. Joe Paterno’s team beat IU 16-10 and Iowa 13-3. Should that be any indication, Indiana has a chance; although the rowdy Iowa environment has to be taken into account.
Iowa has won the last three meetings against Indiana but if you remember last time, the Hoosiers played excellent until the fourth quarter when they allowed the Hawkeyes to take charge on way to victory.
Understandably so, many fans are frustrated with what has taken place on the field. Losses to Ball State and at North Texas are inexcusable. The cream and crimson are going to surprise a team one Saturday, and Iowa is as great of place to do it as any.
The game can be seen on the Big Ten Network at noon EST with the broadcast crew of Eric Collins, Chris Martin and Dionne Miller.
IU returns home next weekend for homecoming against Northwestern.