Indiana Hoosiers 2016 NCAA Football Preview
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Big 10 Conference – East Division
2015 Record – 6-7
ATS – 7-6
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
East Division – #5
Conference – #10
2015 Recap
Indiana won six games last season. That was their best win total since 2007 when they won seven games. The Hoosiers seem to be gradually getting better under the Kevin Wilson regime (win totals of 1,4,5,4,6) but somehow we were left feeling a bit empty when the season ended. This team was a lot of fun to watch as they put up over 36 points and 500 yards per game, but yet somehow, they still managed to have a losing season. That was probably because the defense was horrible (hot take). They had their moments, but seemed to come up a bit short most of the time, including in the tough 44-41 OT loss to Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl.
OFFENSE
Indiana has scored 30+ per game three of the past four seasons but this year they need to break in a new QB. Nothing is settled heading into August but Indiana fans must be hoping that Richard Lagow (listed at 6-6 240) will be able to win the job. If his workout videos posted on YouTube are any indication of ability he certainly has the size and “laser rocket arm” needed to stretch the defense. Zander Diamont has experience and provides depth and more mobility. Definite upside here but still a question mark.
Factoid. Indiana had TWO 1000-yard rushers last season. One of those two returns this season (Devine Redding – 1012 yards 9 TD) and the Hoosiers feature a decent offensive line. The running game should not be an issue. The WR corps is stacked and return the top three from last season who combined for over 2600 yards and 15 TDs. Again, it all comes back to QB play. They have the potential to be pretty explosive.
DEFENSE
Bad. There is no other way to describe the performance of the defense the past six seasons. Over that time period their best showing was 32.8 points allowed per game. Last season they were particularly dreadful yielding 509 yards and 37 points per contest. New DC Tom Allen comes over from USF and just needs to improve this defense a bit for the Hoosiers to have a shot at a bowl game. There are a couple of decent LBs and an experienced secondary to work with, but realistically, the defensive line is probably going to be a problem area once again.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This unit has some pop. PK Griffin Oakes is really good (24/29 last season) and Mitchell Paige returned two punts for touchdowns in 2015.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.5
MEGALOCKS says:
We have started to come around on the Hoosiers. It will be interesting to see how the QB situation plays out but we are cautiously optimistic that the offense can produce good numbers. The first three games on the docket feature winnable games against FIU, Ball St and Wake Forest. That should help them get off to a good start and hopefully find a bit of confidence on defense.
Overall, we give the HOOSIERS a 6.5 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season. The best ATS season in five seasons under Kevin Wilson is 7-6. Indiana is a team we usually avoid backing because the defense has been so consistently awful. They do have significant upside with a potential stud QB and a new DC and that puts them on the watch list.
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http://bleacherreport.com/indiana-hoosiers-football
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