Indiana Hoosiers
Overall Rank: #57
#9 Big Ten
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During his two seasons leading Indiana, Coach Kevin Wilson has won just five games. Yet the Hoosiers have high hopes for year three of the Coach Wilson era. After winning just one game in 2011, IU took a very young team and increased their win total to four in 2012. That also includes two Big Ten wins at Illinois and against Iowa. The goal this year is six wins and a bowl game and that is not unrealistic at all.
2012 Record: (4-8, 2-6)
2012 Bowl: None
Coach: Kevin Wilson (5-19 at Indiana, 5-19 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Seth Littrell
Defensive Coordinator: Doug Mallory
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Stephen Houston, RB, 749 yards
Passing: Cameron Coffman, QB, 2,734 yards
Receiving: Cody Latimer, WR, 805 yards
Tackles: Greg Heban, S, 91
Sacks: David Cooper, LB, 3.0; Ryan Phillis, DE, 3.0
Interceptions: Greg Heban, S, 3
Other Key Returnees: QB Tre Roberson, RB Tevin Coleman, RB D’Angelo Roberts, WR Shane Wynn, WR Kofi Hughes, TE Ted Bolser, OL Jason Spriggs, OL Collin Rahrig, OL Dan Feeney, OL Peyton Eckert, DE Zack Shaw, LB Griffen Dahlstrom, CB Antonio Marshall, K Mitch Ewald
Key Losses: DT Adam Replogle, DT Larry Black, C Will Matte
Strengths:
It is often said that if you have two or three quarterbacks, you really have none. The idea is that those teams cannot settle on a quarterback because, despite what the coach may say, nobody is stepping up and taking the job. That is not the case with Indiana this year even though their quarterback battle may last into the fall. Tre Roberson started the last five games of his freshman campaign and earned the starting job heading into the 2012 campaign. However, he broke his leg in the second game of the season. A titanium rod later, he is ready to go. Roberson is a mobile quarterback and that is what makes him special, so regaining confidence in his leg is a possible issue. Coach Wilson traditionally prefers better passing quarterbacks and he has two who are very capable. Cameron Coffman stepped in for Roberson last season and did an admirable job, passing for 2,734 yards and 15 touchdowns. Nate Sudfeld saw some quality action as a true freshman and threw for seven touchdowns and just one interception. Sudfeld is considered the future at the position, but he and Roberson are just sophomores now and Coffman is only a junior. Whoever takes the snaps will keep the Hoosiers among the best passing teams in the Big Ten. Cody Latimore, Shane Wynn and Kofi Hughes are all back to lead the wide receivers and tight end Ted Bolser is a big target in the red zone. Meanwhile, Stephen Houston will again spearhead the potent ground game after rushing for 749 yards and a dozen scores. Houston is also a superb pass catcher out of the backfield. When Houston needs a break, D’Angelo Roberts and Tevin Coleman are more than capable of moving the chains.
Weaknesses:
The Hoosiers do return nine starters on defense, but this was a defense that ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing defense, total defense and scoring defense. The defense is getting deeper and more talented as Coach Wilson brings in a very good recruiting class…at least by IU standards. Safety Greg Heban will again be the leader of the defense after tallying 91 tackles and three interceptions last season. David Cooper, a junior linebacker, is another key player to keep an eye on. However, even with nine starters back, it is the players that are lost that could be more important. Defensive tackles Adam Replogle and Larry Black are gone after fine senior seasons. Replogle could do it all and tallied 71 tackles, 5.0 sacks and 13.0 tackles-for-loss. Now the Hoosiers must rely on some of their young talent to fill in the big gap in the middle of the line. A more experienced defense is nice, but the Hoosiers are not going to be able to stop anybody if the opposition can simply run up the gut through the Indiana line.
The Bottom Line:
Once again this will be a fun team to watch. Points will be plentiful every time IU takes the field. The offense should be just as potent as they were in 2012 and they could be more efficient punching the ball into the end zone with a more experienced offensive line. Even if they do not, kicker Mitch Ewald is one of the best in the conference. The Indiana defense will be the difference between another four win season and a shot at their second bowl appearance since 1993. The talent is coming in, but it remains to be seen if they are ready to seriously compete in the tough Big Ten.
Projected Bowl: Heart of Dallas Bowl
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 130.83 (94th in nation, 10th in conference)
Passing Offense: 311.17 (17, 1)
Total Offense: 442.00 (34, 2)
Scoring Offense: 30.75 (51, 4)
Rushing Defense: 231.33 (116, 12)
Pass Defense: 232.17 (60, 9)
Total Defense: 463.50 (103, 12)
Scoring Defense: 35.25 (101, 12)
Turnover Margin: -0.25 (78, 9)
Sacks: 2.25 (46, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 1.42 (33, 3)
Madness 2013 Recruit Rankings:
#204 Darius Latham
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