As in, how do you think it would happen? For me, there are two things I think would be absolute musts.
Firstly, and it won't be easy because the weapons around them are on completely different planets in terms of talent and depth, but Indiana's defense HAS to get into Stroud's head and get him rattled, frustrated, and mistake-prone early on in the game like they did to a Heisman contending talent in Desmond Ritter in the first half. They'll have to keep Henderson in mind, too, but breaking up the rhythm of their passing game is priority one. If they don't, it doesn't matter how good our defense is, they aren't shutting down three clear NFL receivers. And no crippling and morale-sapping ejections or brutal defensive penalties this time, OK?
Secondly, the offense finds some way, any way, to be explosive. I cannot see us driving the length of the field more than maybe twice in this game. We have to, we simply have to, get yards in big chunks if we're going to get them at all. In a win the defense will almost certainly have helped by getting some turnovers and setting the offense up, but Fryfogle needs to go off. Or we need to turn to the back page of the playbook a few times and hit on a few trick plays, whether on offense or maybe fake kicks. Simply put, we need to find a way to pick up 25+ in a play multiple times. And above all, no turnovers! If you are under extreme pressure, take the sack, don't fling it up. Don't fight for extra yards in non-critical spots and fumble the ball.
Do I think it is likely? No. But this sort of game is the general idea and style of game that we would need to have unfold tomorrow for a chance.
Firstly, and it won't be easy because the weapons around them are on completely different planets in terms of talent and depth, but Indiana's defense HAS to get into Stroud's head and get him rattled, frustrated, and mistake-prone early on in the game like they did to a Heisman contending talent in Desmond Ritter in the first half. They'll have to keep Henderson in mind, too, but breaking up the rhythm of their passing game is priority one. If they don't, it doesn't matter how good our defense is, they aren't shutting down three clear NFL receivers. And no crippling and morale-sapping ejections or brutal defensive penalties this time, OK?
Secondly, the offense finds some way, any way, to be explosive. I cannot see us driving the length of the field more than maybe twice in this game. We have to, we simply have to, get yards in big chunks if we're going to get them at all. In a win the defense will almost certainly have helped by getting some turnovers and setting the offense up, but Fryfogle needs to go off. Or we need to turn to the back page of the playbook a few times and hit on a few trick plays, whether on offense or maybe fake kicks. Simply put, we need to find a way to pick up 25+ in a play multiple times. And above all, no turnovers! If you are under extreme pressure, take the sack, don't fling it up. Don't fight for extra yards in non-critical spots and fumble the ball.
Do I think it is likely? No. But this sort of game is the general idea and style of game that we would need to have unfold tomorrow for a chance.
