It's late night Thursday and I've been thinking about this game. I have no idea what the weather is supposed to be like. But I'm anticipating an "old fashioned Big Ten Brawl" in "Happy Valley".
IU's biggest challenge is the mental side of the game. Coming off a big game vs OSU, many a team would have a mental letdown. When you are OSU, you can afford it. Talent wins out more times than not. In case you weren't sure, IU isn't OSU yet. So as an esteemed hoops legend once said: "Mental is to physical as 4:1"
PSU's strength is in it's defensive front. Terrific talent and sack potential. Spriggs and Camiel will have their hands full. With Sudfeld and Howard question marks..... That's an amazing key. W/O Nate, IU is a different team. Without Howard, IU is..... Not the same. Redding is a terrific change of pace and stand in. He's not Howard and the defense doesn't react to IU the same way when he's not in the game.
Essentially this will be a game between the offensive and defensive lines. PSU's d line has been great. IU's hasn't allowed much in terms of sacks. IU's didn't block well vs OSU last week. That has to be better this week. PSU allowed 10 sacks vs Temple. But it brought in two new backs and the line has played better.
IU cannot allow PSU to run the ball. I suspect they'll attack the interior run game and try to play a deep shell. Hackenburg holds the ball but also likes the bubble screen and the perimeter flank passing game. Especially effective is the fake bubble draw action and fake draw bubble action.
IU's corners have to hold up against the bubble screen actions and tackle.
From IU, I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of Zander. And I can see Zander running the ball. Particularly read option and boot passes to the TE. Whether or not Nate plays, I see IU wanting to run quick rhythm passes to keep the pass rush contained.
I do not see IU with a lot of long, drawn out drives. I think it will be a game of field position, punting and turnovers. Stringing together 2 or 3 first downs and punting and playing field position back and forth may be IU's ticket. Perhaps IU can get pressure on Hackenburg.
Not making mistakes with penalties and turnovers will be critical. I see a lot of field goals. Perhaps a late turnover gives Oakes a shot to win it something like 19-17.
Go IU football.
IU's biggest challenge is the mental side of the game. Coming off a big game vs OSU, many a team would have a mental letdown. When you are OSU, you can afford it. Talent wins out more times than not. In case you weren't sure, IU isn't OSU yet. So as an esteemed hoops legend once said: "Mental is to physical as 4:1"
PSU's strength is in it's defensive front. Terrific talent and sack potential. Spriggs and Camiel will have their hands full. With Sudfeld and Howard question marks..... That's an amazing key. W/O Nate, IU is a different team. Without Howard, IU is..... Not the same. Redding is a terrific change of pace and stand in. He's not Howard and the defense doesn't react to IU the same way when he's not in the game.
Essentially this will be a game between the offensive and defensive lines. PSU's d line has been great. IU's hasn't allowed much in terms of sacks. IU's didn't block well vs OSU last week. That has to be better this week. PSU allowed 10 sacks vs Temple. But it brought in two new backs and the line has played better.
IU cannot allow PSU to run the ball. I suspect they'll attack the interior run game and try to play a deep shell. Hackenburg holds the ball but also likes the bubble screen and the perimeter flank passing game. Especially effective is the fake bubble draw action and fake draw bubble action.
IU's corners have to hold up against the bubble screen actions and tackle.
From IU, I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of Zander. And I can see Zander running the ball. Particularly read option and boot passes to the TE. Whether or not Nate plays, I see IU wanting to run quick rhythm passes to keep the pass rush contained.
I do not see IU with a lot of long, drawn out drives. I think it will be a game of field position, punting and turnovers. Stringing together 2 or 3 first downs and punting and playing field position back and forth may be IU's ticket. Perhaps IU can get pressure on Hackenburg.
Not making mistakes with penalties and turnovers will be critical. I see a lot of field goals. Perhaps a late turnover gives Oakes a shot to win it something like 19-17.
Go IU football.
