College Football Predictions – Indiana Hoosiers 2020 College Football Preview
July 2020
OCTOBER 2020 – Schedule notes updated.
2019 Recap
Record – 8-5
ATS – 8-5
After showing definite signs of life in the first two years of the Tom Allen era the Hoosiers booked their first eight-win season since 1993. They started out on SUPAH HOT fire winning seven of their first nine contests but struggled down the stretch losing three of their final four games. Those losses included a tough one-point loss to Tennessee in the Gator Bowl. They were blown out by Michigan and Ohio St (combined score 90-24) but definitely appear to moving up the Big Ten East pecking order. What’s the upside in 2020?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
East Division – TBD
Big 10 – TBD
Indiana Hoosiers 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Hoosiers scored 30+ PPG (31.2, #5 Big Ten) for the first time since 2015 and did it thanks to a really good THROW GAME implemented by a pair of good QBs (combined 23-9 TD to INT, 68%). Peyton Ramsey has moved on and the dynamic Michael Penix Jr. will get a chance to shine this year, and hopefully he can stay healthy. Stevie Scott is a legit #1 RB and note that he has rushed for almost 2,000 yards and 20 TDs and caught 42 balls in his first two years in Bloomington. The top three in receptions from last year’s squad return for battle including 1,000-yard man WHOP Philyor and ace TE Peyton Hendershot (622, 4 TD). Three starters return up front including their LT and center. Hopefully they can achieve more success on the ground this year and having a mobile QB will help.
We’ll call for them to finish right around the 30 PPG mark again. Let’s hope that Penix Jr. can get a full season under center.
DEFENSE
Indiana was sneaky good on this side of the ball last year as they finished in the FBS top-50 in scoring defense (24.4 PPG), run defense, pass defense, and total defense (352 YPG). Nine returning starters are back in the mix and that should mean more good things for the Hoosiers’ defense. Lots of experience returns on the DL including a pair of men (Jerome Johnson, Demarcus Elliott) that combined for 8 sacks LY. Leading tackler Micah McFadden returns at LB and secondary is loaded with returning experience. The back-end includes an emerging star at CB in Tiawan Mullen who booked 13 PD despite playing in just 10 games.
It’s not a star-studded unit be we expect them to be in the top-50 nationally once again in most key metrics. You know they will be well-coached and give max effort.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Charles Campbell takes over for the departed Logan Justus (17/21 FG LY) and he was 2/2 on three-pointers LY in his CUP OF COFFEE with the team. Senior punter Haydon Whitehead returns (Indiana #63 net punting FBS LY). They need to get better production at KR and PR as they were among the worst in the Big Ten in that regard in 2019.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The scamdemic schedule has the Hoosiers making a road trip to Madison to take on the Badgers (ouch). Things get REAL in a hurry as they open with Penn St.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing too spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbit
Indiana has accumulated a poor record of 3-9 in bowl games including last year’s loss to the Volunteers. They are due for a break as they’ve lost the last three by a COMBINED SIX POINTS.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This is a solid team. No doubt about it. The road schedule is pretty nasty and it would’ve been nice to get some wins before Big Ten play begins. They are capable of beating any team in the conference on any given day (exception, Ohio St) (?) but we wonder if their QB can stay healthy AND about the overall depth of talent.
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NEWS
https://www.crimsonquarry.com/
http://www.indystar.com/sports/hoosiers/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/84/indiana-hoosiers
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