Last season, the defense took a considerable step back, in terms of S&P+, dropping from #25 in 2017 to #75 in 2018. The Hoosiers rank below Rutgers (#67) and above Purdue (#88). Obviously, we need a good defense in order to win 6 and Play 13. Here are my defensive question for this Spring this team must answer in order to reverse the recent regression on defense.
1. Who steps up to replace 4 year starter Crawford?
His presence and leadership will be missed. Good news is everyone else returns in the secondary.
2. Will the returning talent in the secondary take a step forward and improve?
The IU pass defense ranked #104 in S&P+ last year. The same players, minus Crawford, all return. That might be good and they'll all improve with the experience from last season. Or that might be bad as because we return everybody from a bad pass defense.
Good news is Larry Tracy is enrolled early and will hopefully push the vets from day 1.
3. How is Juan Harris' conditioning, effort and motor?
Rush defense (ranked #84) was better than the pass, but still in the top part of bottom half in the country. We need Harris to be so good in such a bad way. He's got the size, and the skill. But I want to see his effort, emotion and motor to take control of the trenches.
4. How will the team respond to Kane Wommack as full time DC?
Sure seems great on paper with a history to match. Hopefully improve the consistency of a defense that was quite inconsistent last year. We would great against PSU, OSU and UM from the East yet look incompetent at times against lesser competition in Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue from the West.
I'm interested to see how he evaluates personnel and who buys into what he's trying to do. Also interested to see how much involvement Allen will have on this side after giving Kane the promotion.
5. Will the second year of Ballou and his S&C program increase our team speed on defense?
I've read some articles and listened to a podcast on how he conditions the nervous system so players can think fast, react fast, and play fast. I want to see that come to fruition and translate on the field. Will this become an advantage or is it a pipe dream (I. E. can't teach speed). Memories of Iowa TEs, Minny WRs, and PU's Moore running past IU defenders is still fresh I'm my mind. We need speed.
These are what I'm looking for this spring. Is anyone looking forward to anything else or have other questions you want answered?
1. Who steps up to replace 4 year starter Crawford?
His presence and leadership will be missed. Good news is everyone else returns in the secondary.
2. Will the returning talent in the secondary take a step forward and improve?
The IU pass defense ranked #104 in S&P+ last year. The same players, minus Crawford, all return. That might be good and they'll all improve with the experience from last season. Or that might be bad as because we return everybody from a bad pass defense.
Good news is Larry Tracy is enrolled early and will hopefully push the vets from day 1.
3. How is Juan Harris' conditioning, effort and motor?
Rush defense (ranked #84) was better than the pass, but still in the top part of bottom half in the country. We need Harris to be so good in such a bad way. He's got the size, and the skill. But I want to see his effort, emotion and motor to take control of the trenches.
4. How will the team respond to Kane Wommack as full time DC?
Sure seems great on paper with a history to match. Hopefully improve the consistency of a defense that was quite inconsistent last year. We would great against PSU, OSU and UM from the East yet look incompetent at times against lesser competition in Iowa, Minnesota and Purdue from the West.
I'm interested to see how he evaluates personnel and who buys into what he's trying to do. Also interested to see how much involvement Allen will have on this side after giving Kane the promotion.
5. Will the second year of Ballou and his S&C program increase our team speed on defense?
I've read some articles and listened to a podcast on how he conditions the nervous system so players can think fast, react fast, and play fast. I want to see that come to fruition and translate on the field. Will this become an advantage or is it a pipe dream (I. E. can't teach speed). Memories of Iowa TEs, Minny WRs, and PU's Moore running past IU defenders is still fresh I'm my mind. We need speed.
These are what I'm looking for this spring. Is anyone looking forward to anything else or have other questions you want answered?