1. Right now, how do you feel about where the Hoosiers are as a team?
I really don't know. Ever since the 2009 loss to Michigan, I and most IU fans had been anticipating this year's Michigan game and viewed it as an opportunity for a signature win. It was an opportunity, but not a win. Last year's team was mostly competitive but failed to finish games. The 2009 Hoosiers haven't had much opportunity, other than the Michigan game, to prove anything, and won't for a while. IU's three pre-conference games were easy wins. The Ohio State game is a likely loss. Arkansas State is a likely win. I don't expect to have a read on this team until after they have played Illinois and Northwestern on October 23 and October 30.
2. Ben Chappell is good, but who else do they build around?
Chappell is very good and experienced, and IU's receiving corps, led by Tandon Doss, Terrance Turner, and Damarlo Belcher, is among the best in the conference. Darius Willis hasn't been the most consistent back, but he played well against Michigan.
Chappell is very good and experienced, and IU's receiving corps, led by Tandon Doss, Terrance Turner, and Damarlo Belcher, is among the best in the conference. Darius Willis hasn't been the most consistent back, but he played well against Michigan.
3. What has to happen for Ohio State to beat Indiana, and vice versa?
For IU to upset the #2 team in the nation on the road would require a number of things to happen. IU would have to comfortably win the turnover battle despite having shown nothing on defense so far, and would have to continue to score points against the first legitimate defense that IU has faced this season. OSU simply has to take care of the ball and play conservatively.
For IU to upset the #2 team in the nation on the road would require a number of things to happen. IU would have to comfortably win the turnover battle despite having shown nothing on defense so far, and would have to continue to score points against the first legitimate defense that IU has faced this season. OSU simply has to take care of the ball and play conservatively.
4. Will Bill Lynch throw his gum at someone?
I hope so. A gum throw would be indicative of a bad call in a close game, and it's been a long time since IU has been in a close game with the Buckeyes.
I hope so. A gum throw would be indicative of a bad call in a close game, and it's been a long time since IU has been in a close game with the Buckeyes.
5. How will Indiana finish the season? (W/L, Bowl Game?)
I think the most likely finish is 6-6 (2-6) and a minor bowl bid, but again, I still don't have a great read on this team. I can picture anything from 4-8 to 8-4. The games against Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue, and Penn State are the most important, in my mind.
I think the most likely finish is 6-6 (2-6) and a minor bowl bid, but again, I still don't have a great read on this team. I can picture anything from 4-8 to 8-4. The games against Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue, and Penn State are the most important, in my mind.
6. You had trouble with Pryor last year, how good do you think he is?
I think he's really good and is a poor matchup for IU. The Big Ten has produced many dual threat quarterbacks, but it's amazing to me that Pryor can be so effective as a runner and yet so big. IU had no answer for Denard Robinson, and I can't imagine that they will have an answer for Pryor.
I think he's really good and is a poor matchup for IU. The Big Ten has produced many dual threat quarterbacks, but it's amazing to me that Pryor can be so effective as a runner and yet so big. IU had no answer for Denard Robinson, and I can't imagine that they will have an answer for Pryor.
7. Is Bill Lynch the man for the job at Indiana?
I don't know. On one hand, he did a fine job in 2007 in a difficult situation, taking over after the death of Terry Hoeppner. On the other hand, he has struggled from a win-loss perspective since being awarded the long-term job. He has upgraded recruiting and is a fine representative of the university, but it remains to be seen if he can put everything together to the point that IU can consistently compete for bowl bids.
I don't know. On one hand, he did a fine job in 2007 in a difficult situation, taking over after the death of Terry Hoeppner. On the other hand, he has struggled from a win-loss perspective since being awarded the long-term job. He has upgraded recruiting and is a fine representative of the university, but it remains to be seen if he can put everything together to the point that IU can consistently compete for bowl bids.
8. Jim Tressel - What do you think of him?
I think very highly of him. I've been following college football since the mid 1980s and I don't think there is any doubt that he is the most successful coach that the Big Ten has had in that timeframe. In the 1990s, despite their overall success and talent, the Buckeyes were something of a punchline because it seemed as if they would always finish the season with a loss to Michigan and a loss in a bowl game. Tressel has put all of that behind the program and has managed to be consistently excellent in the conference and successful outside the conference.
I think very highly of him. I've been following college football since the mid 1980s and I don't think there is any doubt that he is the most successful coach that the Big Ten has had in that timeframe. In the 1990s, despite their overall success and talent, the Buckeyes were something of a punchline because it seemed as if they would always finish the season with a loss to Michigan and a loss in a bowl game. Tressel has put all of that behind the program and has managed to be consistently excellent in the conference and successful outside the conference.
9. What do the Buckeyes need to focus on the most right now?
I would say that finding a way to pressure and confuse Chappell is Ohio State's best option. If there was any knock on Chappell's performance against Michigan, it's that he wasn't great when under pressure? If the Buckeyes collapse the pocket with regularity, IU has little chance.
I would say that finding a way to pressure and confuse Chappell is Ohio State's best option. If there was any knock on Chappell's performance against Michigan, it's that he wasn't great when under pressure? If the Buckeyes collapse the pocket with regularity, IU has little chance.
10. Finally, who wins and why?
I would love to be proven wrong, but I think the IU offense will struggle a bit against the best defense it has seen and that the IU defense will present little challenge for the Buckeyes. I foresee something along the lines of Ohio State 38, Indiana 20.
