Early Ahia State Thoughts

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

Their defense is better than Michigan - run and pass.

Our pass defense is as good/a tick better - but maybe due to schedule.

Our rush defense gives up less yards - due to schedule?

QB’s are very even.

Treyveyon Henderson averages 9 yards (!) on 1st down carries.

Best way to beat a good team is get ahead and stay ahead and make them press.

This will be a dogfight.

 

[TomEric4756]

Their defense is better than Michigan - run and pass.

Our pass defense is as good/a tick better - but maybe due to schedule.

Our rush defense gives up less yards - due to schedule?

QB’s are very even.

Treyveyon Henderson averages 9 yards (!) on 1st down carries.

Best way to beat a good team is get ahead and stay ahead and make them press.

This will be a dogfight.

Overall, I think MI’s DL and OL may be a touch better than OSU.
… but not good enough to overcome the level of MI QB play.
OSU seems to have over come the LG, LT snafu. It’s functional now.
The’ll be a dog eat dog contest for control of the LOS.
Bostad gets two weeks to get Stephen’s better.
Howard is a better (power) runner … I trust Rourke’s reads more.
IU’s D limited MI big plays. … need the same sound play or better, in 13 days.

 

[IUgradman]

The line has to protect Rourke and the offense can’t disappear for a half.

 

[MyTeamIsOnTheFloor]

Forgot to add:

Against Michigan, we overcame a practice week loss of a starting OL, a batted down pass, a good pass breakup by Michigan on our 4th and 12, an offensive PI call that cost us first and goal at the 2 and turned a TD into a FG, loss of a starter on defense to targeting, a pick that gave them the ball at our 7, a second nice pass break up by Michigan, 2 sacks and a horrible punt, and a couple of dropped passes we always catch.

We ready.

 

[iu2win]

Bostad has experience coaching OL at Wisc against OSU. It is to IU's advantage that he is at least somewhat familiar with OSU tendencies.

 

[76-1]

Here's a few perspectives of what they have talent wise (with the expected "the" o-h-i-o $tate slant):

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This Saturday's game up at Soldier Field should be interesting... Hopefully the mildcats will make them work for it a little...

 

[82hoosier]

Anything is possible after their Nebraska game,.

 

[rcaulfie]

Well, one thing for sure is, we can't play like we did Saturday against OSU. We won't have a chance. I have faith in this team, though, and Cignetti, and expect us to play at the top of our game. Especially with having the bye week.....

 

[ElMeson]

Overall, I think MI’s DL and OL may be a touch better than OSU.
… but not good enough to overcome the level of MI QB play.
OSU seems to have over come the LG, LT snafu. It’s functional now.
The’ll be a dog eat dog contest for control of the LOS.
Bostad gets two weeks to get Stephen’s better.
Howard is a better (power) runner … I trust Rourke’s reads more.
IU’s D limited MI big plays. … need the same sound play or better, in 13 days.

UM has one DT that is better but Tyleik Williams is also a top 10 pick. They rotate a lot and blitz their LB’s in passing situations. It will be important for IU to stay out of 3 & long. Their CB’s are physical but get in trouble because of that. We can probably take advantage of that with deep balls because they play man. OSU’s safety’s are elite! Downs completely took away the TE vs PSU and Ransom is a thumper who can cover also. LB’s are just okay. They miss tackles a lot but are fast and physical.

OSU’s OL.. They had to reshuffle after Simmons was injured against Oregon. VS Nebraska the replacement LT was injured (who was struggling) at the end of the game. They kicked their AA guard out to LT and then moved last years C to LG (who was red shirting). Since that move they have seemed to find their stride and outside of Abdul Carter’s 2 sacks, have looked really good in pass protection. RB’s.. Elite. Both are fast and physical. WR’s.. It’s the JJ Smith show. He is 6’4 and the fastest player on the field. Ebukka will be a 1st rd pick this year and his route running is second to none. Tate, fast, fast. Collectively, again they are the best in the country. TE’s are very good blockers and can catch but seldom used. Finally Will Howard… He has flaws but he (I hate this term but it fits for him) has moxie. He will do something completely head scratching once a game though. He also seems to completely under throw his receivers. Smith and Tate would have a few more TD’s if his arm was stronger. He can run and is faster than you think. Game manager would definitely fit.

As far as Michigan comparisons, I dis agree with you about Michigan’s OL and DL. OSU’s lines are much better. Michigan’s offense is a mess. They haven’t had big play ability all year. Terrible at QB and receivers outside of the TE position. OSU doesn’t have a TE like Loveland but their QB,RB’s and WR’s are night and day. One thing to remember… OSU doesn’t play fast. They slow the game down, don’t misinterpret that for not having big play ability. They just use clock and huddle from time to time.

 

[td75]

UM has one DT that is better but Tyleik Williams is also a top 10 pick. They rotate a lot and blitz their LB’s in passing situations. It will be important for IU to stay out of 3 & long. Their CB’s are physical but get in trouble because of that. We can probably take advantage of that with deep balls because they play man. OSU’s safety’s are elite! Downs completely took away the TE vs PSU and Ransom is a thumper who can cover also. LB’s are just okay. They miss tackles a lot but are fast and physical.

OSU’s OL.. They had to reshuffle after Simmons was injured against Oregon. VS Nebraska the replacement LT was injured (who was struggling) at the end of the game. They kicked their AA guard out to LT and then moved last years C to LG (who was red shirting). Since that move they have seemed to find their stride and outside of Abdul Carter’s 2 sacks, have looked really good in pass protection. RB’s.. Elite. Both are fast and physical. WR’s.. It’s the JJ Smith show. He is 6’4 and the fastest player on the field. Ebukka will be a 1st rd pick this year and his route running is second to none. Tate, fast, fast. Collectively, again they are the best in the country. TE’s are very good blockers and can catch but seldom used. Finally Will Howard… He has flaws but he (I hate this term but it fits for him) has moxie. He will do something completely head scratching once a game though. He also seems to completely under throw his receivers. Smith and Tate would have a few more TD’s if his arm was stronger. He can run and is faster than you think. Game manager would definitely fit.

As far as Michigan comparisons, I dis agree with you about Michigan’s OL and DL. OSU’s lines are much better. Michigan’s offense is a mess. They haven’t had big play ability all year. Terrible at QB and receivers outside of the TE position. OSU doesn’t have a TE like Loveland but their QB,RB’s and WR’s are night and day. One thing to remember… OSU doesn’t play fast. They slow the game down, don’t misinterpret that for not having big play ability. They just use clock and huddle from time to time.

Cliff notes version: We are going against a 20 million dollar roster...I want our Sunbelt All Star team to shove that big payroll and all of their tradition up their a$$ sideways!

 

[IUNorth]

Cliff notes version: We are going against a 20 million dollar roster...I want our Sunbelt All Star team to shove that big payroll and all of their tradition up their a$$ sideways!

They have one of the most talented rosters, if not THE most talented roster, in the country.

I think Ryan Day is a mediocre head coach, but they have some elite coordinators in Kelly and Knowles.

Need to keep the game close, and make some big plays late. Despite our obvious disadvantage on the talent side, I think we have the coaching and overall makeup, to do just that.

 

[4IUSox2]

To have a shot, IU front 7 will need to keep their run game off schedule (2nd/8, 3rd/6)…tough to do with their great 2-back tandem of Henderson and the transfer from Ole Miss. Then dial up the pressure on the qb in passing situations, against a recently patched up OSU OL. If Howard has any time, the OSU WRs will be too much for IU dbs.

This OSU DL is very good, but has no Bosa or Chase Young-type talents on it. Not as good as recent OSU DLs that absolutely manhandled teams up front. I
think the UM DL is better. I think IU can have some success running the ball. We will need to, because their DBs are tremendous. Rourke will need to get the ball out quick, something he didn’t have time to do vs UM in the 2nd half. Rourke has been great with reads and check downs and will need to be on point in that regard…find Horton, Bomba once in a while. There’s no shame in occasionally throwing the ball away too to live for the next play. Keep things close and see if can free up Cooper, Sarratt, or Keyshawn down the field.

Should be a ball game .

 

[MIS01]

UM has one DT that is better but Tyleik Williams is also a top 10 pick. They rotate a lot and blitz their LB’s in passing situations. It will be important for IU to stay out of 3 & long. Their CB’s are physical but get in trouble because of that. We can probably take advantage of that with deep balls because they play man. OSU’s safety’s are elite! Downs completely took away the TE vs PSU and Ransom is a thumper who can cover also. LB’s are just okay. They miss tackles a lot but are fast and physical.

OSU’s OL.. They had to reshuffle after Simmons was injured against Oregon. VS Nebraska the replacement LT was injured (who was struggling) at the end of the game. They kicked their AA guard out to LT and then moved last years C to LG (who was red shirting). Since that move they have seemed to find their stride and outside of Abdul Carter’s 2 sacks, have looked really good in pass protection. RB’s.. Elite. Both are fast and physical. WR’s.. It’s the JJ Smith show. He is 6’4 and the fastest player on the field. Ebukka will be a 1st rd pick this year and his route running is second to none. Tate, fast, fast. Collectively, again they are the best in the country. TE’s are very good blockers and can catch but seldom used. Finally Will Howard… He has flaws but he (I hate this term but it fits for him) has moxie. He will do something completely head scratching once a game though. He also seems to completely under throw his receivers. Smith and Tate would have a few more TD’s if his arm was stronger. He can run and is faster than you think. Game manager would definitely fit.

As far as Michigan comparisons, I dis agree with you about Michigan’s OL and DL. OSU’s lines are much better. Michigan’s offense is a mess. They haven’t had big play ability all year. Terrible at QB and receivers outside of the TE position. OSU doesn’t have a TE like Loveland but their QB,RB’s and WR’s are night and day. One thing to remember… OSU doesn’t play fast. They slow the game down, don’t misinterpret that for not having big play ability. They just use clock and huddle from time to time.

“Their CB’s are physical but get in trouble because of that. We can probably take advantage of that with deep balls because they play man. “. That’s assuming the officials would dare to call PI against them in this game. Michigan’s DBs got away with a fair amount of that Saturday, as well as their OL holding our DL