https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2020/5/...nas-defense-could-be-among-big-tens-best.aspx
Bill does a great job with the breakdown of teams and the stats. He has IU #1 in returning stats in the B1G. I think we all know that doesn't mean IU will have the best defense in the B1G but should have one of the best improved defense. The Bowl game gave us a peek at what the defense can do this year against a team that threatened the best teams in the SEC.
The defense still needs to show they have depth and toughness to win the game in the end. This shutdown will effect the B1G in different ways. MSU could have a down year due to a new coach and not practicing this Spring where IU should be ready to get after it when the practice starts. Rutgers and Maryland will have a tough job to be ready for the B1G this year. OSU will probably OSU no matter what happens. PSU has some new players to get used to playing in the B1G but still have a very good defensive core coming back. Michigan has a lot of new defense players and a new QB to get ready for the season. Wisconsin will have a new RB and new OL men along with needing a couple of new WR. Defense loss a few of the best players so it should take some games to come together. Illinois is hard to figure out but have shown they can rise up and beat B1G teams. Purdue has there offense best player back to go along with Bell that showed he could play as a freshman. Will their OL improve or not is the question.
Contrast that to IU with most major players coming back. We have to find an OL but the players are there to be a good OL. We have a QB rated in the top 20 QBs in the nation and a proven RB with a couple of talented RBs to work in. Coach Wright has some very good athletes to turn into TEs that threaten defenses. Defense has the experience, talent, and depth to really be a good defense this season. The key is, how good are they against the best offenses in the conference. There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this season and others outside the IUFB program are seeing it too.
Bill does a great job with the breakdown of teams and the stats. He has IU #1 in returning stats in the B1G. I think we all know that doesn't mean IU will have the best defense in the B1G but should have one of the best improved defense. The Bowl game gave us a peek at what the defense can do this year against a team that threatened the best teams in the SEC.
The defense still needs to show they have depth and toughness to win the game in the end. This shutdown will effect the B1G in different ways. MSU could have a down year due to a new coach and not practicing this Spring where IU should be ready to get after it when the practice starts. Rutgers and Maryland will have a tough job to be ready for the B1G this year. OSU will probably OSU no matter what happens. PSU has some new players to get used to playing in the B1G but still have a very good defensive core coming back. Michigan has a lot of new defense players and a new QB to get ready for the season. Wisconsin will have a new RB and new OL men along with needing a couple of new WR. Defense loss a few of the best players so it should take some games to come together. Illinois is hard to figure out but have shown they can rise up and beat B1G teams. Purdue has there offense best player back to go along with Bell that showed he could play as a freshman. Will their OL improve or not is the question.
Contrast that to IU with most major players coming back. We have to find an OL but the players are there to be a good OL. We have a QB rated in the top 20 QBs in the nation and a proven RB with a couple of talented RBs to work in. Coach Wright has some very good athletes to turn into TEs that threaten defenses. Defense has the experience, talent, and depth to really be a good defense this season. The key is, how good are they against the best offenses in the conference. There are a lot of reasons to be excited about this season and others outside the IUFB program are seeing it too.