2006 Indiana football preview

2005 Record: 1-7, 4-7
Head Coach: Terry Hoeppner

Players Drafted:
Isaac Sowells OT - Round 4 - Cleveland
Victor Adeyanju DE - Round 4 - St. Louis

Key Players Returning:
Blake Powers QB
Josiah Sears FB
James Hardy WR
Marcus Thigpen RB
Justin Frye OT
Andrew Means WR
Joe Kleinsmith K
Leslie Majors CB
Will Meyers FS
Tracy Porter CB
Tyson Beattie P

Top Recruits:
Greg Middleton DE 6'3" 240 Indianapolis, IN
Jarrod Smith OT 6'4" 270 Fairborn, OH

Indiana Offensive Outlook

Watch out for WR James Hardy this year. He’s a big target (6’ 7’’) with a lot of talent to find the end zone after 893 receiving yards and 10 TDs in 2005. Blake Powers is retuning after a solid season in 2005 and will look to get Hardy the ball often. The IU running game struggled last season and neither of the two leading rushers from the 2005 Indiana Hoosiers will be returning this season. Former WR Marcus Thigpen should help out the running game as he makes the transition to RB. Andrew Means is another flashy player that should help the offense move the chains. The biggest question for the Hoosiers is in the offensive line. OT Justin Frye is solid, but there isn’t much experience on the line, and some players will have to step up to give Powers time to find Hardy.

Indiana Defensive Outlook

The defensive backfield will be the strength for the Hoosiers. FS Will Meyers, CB Tracy Porter, and CB Leslie Majors are all exceptional athletes and will have a chance to cover the Big Ten’s outstanding receivers. If the linebackers and linemen can hold their own, these players will be able to impact a game. The D-Line and linebackers have several key players who have moved on since last season so look for some of the younger players to have a chance to step up this fall.

Indiana Special Teams

Coach Hoeppner has a number of athletes that will boost the special teams. Tyson Beattie will handle the punting duties, and he has a leg that can put teams in tough field position. Joe Kleinsmith is a capable kicker, but didn’t see enough opportunities in 2005. Lance Bennett has game breaking ability and should be returning kicks.

2006 Keys to Success: The Hoosiers will find themselves in passing situations often, and it will be up to the offensive line to pick up blitzes to provide Powers the opportunity to make a play. Similarly, the defensive line will also be a key for the Hoosiers in 2006. In their seven losses last season the Hoosiers allowed an average of 41 points per game. If their young players can put teams in passing situations the Hoosiers could find themselves in games during the 4th quarter.

2006 Prediction: The Hoosiers open with two MAC teams. Look for them to start the season with a win, but Ball State will be a tough game on the road. The key to the season will be on October 7th when the Hoosiers play at Illinios. Unfortunately, I see the Hoosiers only winning four games this year.

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