2007 Indiana football preview

2006 Record: 5-7, 3-5
Head Coach: Bill Lynch

Players Drafted: None Drafted

Key Players Returning:
James Hardy WR – Jr.
Kellen Lewis QB – Soph.
Tracy Porter CB – Sr.
Marcus Thigpen RB – Jr.
Josiah Sears FB – Sr.
Leslie Majors CB – Sr.
Will Patterson LB – Soph.
Greg Brown DT – Jr.
John Sandberg RG – Sr.

Top Recruits:
Jeff Boyd – DT – 6’2” – 280 – Indianapolis, IN
Dennis Ziegler – OT – 6’7” – 310 – Indianapolis, IN
Fred Jones – DE – 6’4” – 225 – Tyrone, GA

2007 Indiana Offensive Outlook

6’7” WR James Hardy will again be the number one target for Kellen Lewis. Hardy found the end zone ten times in 2006 to bring his two-year career total to 20 TD receptions. Lewis won the starting QB position last season and possesses the threat to run or pass after averaging over 40 yards-per-game on the ground and 200 yards-per-game through the air. Lewis threw 14 TD passes and ran for five more. Along with the speed of RB Marcus Thigpen, the Hoosiers have the athletes to score points.

The offensive line has been a question in the past, but the Hoosiers return four starters to the line in 2007. RG John Sandberg is a hard working player that can lead fellow seniors LT Charlie Emerson and the new center Ben Wyss. Sophomores, Pete Saxon and Rodger Saffold, earned valuable time last year and should create some cohesiveness on the left side of the line.

With Hardy, Andrew Means, and James Bailey on the outside, the focus for the Hoosiers will be to improve their running game. Lewis led the team in rushing last year and the offensive line will need to improve its run blocking schemes to provide Thigpen an opportunity to take the pressure off of Lewis.

2007 Indiana Defensive Outlook

The Indiana defense only held an opponent under 20 points one time last season, and that was in a 14-7 loss to Connecticut. The Hoosiers biggest personnel losses came on the defensive side of the ball. Senior defensive backs Tracy Porter and Leslie Majors are veterans who have great ability to cover receivers. Sophomore safeties Austin Thomas and Nick Polk are progressively getting better and will need to continue to gain confidence with more playing time.

The group of linebackers is a bight spot on the defense. Senior Adam McClurg will anchor the middle of the field with junior Geno Johnson and sophomore Will Patterson on the outside. These linebackers bring athleticism to a defense that needs playmakers to make tackles.

The Hoosiers will look to get more production out of their defensive line in 2007. Indiana allowed 174 yards per game on the ground last season and will DT Greg Brown and DE Jammie Kirlew to improve after decent campaigns a year ago. DT Joe Kremer will need to eat up space in the middle to allow the linebackers a chance to get to the ball.

2007 Indiana Special Teams

Junior Austin Starr returns as the Hoosiers place kicker. Starr produced solid numbers in 2006 and should provide consistency in the kicking game this season. Marcus Thigpen and Terry Porter may be the best return duo in the Big Ten this year. Thigpen showed a knack for returning kicks last year including three returns for touchdowns, and Porter has game breaking ability as a punt returner.

2007 Indiana Prediction

The Hoosiers will turn to Bill Lynch to lead the Hoosiers after the unfortunate loss of Coach Terry Hoeppner. Indiana catches a break by not finding Michigan or Ohio State on their schedule this season. There’s a good possibility that the Hoosiers can improve their win total this year and find themselves Bowl eligible in November.

> Back to the 2007 Big Ten football previews

> More College Football Previews for 2007