The first year of the Tom Allen era went largely as expected: a stingy defense and a drop-off in offense. Time to see if Allen can carve out a place in the rough Big Ten East.
When Tom Allen took over the Hoosiers following Kevin Wilson’s “resignation”, Indiana knew they were in good hands. Allen, in his first year as head coach, had the 27th ranked defense in the nation. The offense though, predictably fell off after losing several key players. Last year’s schedule featured several games that, had the ball bounced differently, Indiana could have won. Relying on a youth movement this season, the development of players will show just how far Coach Allen can take this program.
Prestige Ranking: 2 stars
Indiana has not been historically good at football, boasting an overall losing record. However, the success of the Kevin Wilson years and what should be improvement for Tom Allen at least gets them two stars. It is hard to move up in the Big Ten East, but a few consecutive 6-7 win seasons could get them to a 3 star rating.
Last Season’s Record: 5-7 (2-7 Big Ten)
Projected Returning Starters: 10
Offense: 6
WR Luke Timian, LT, Coy Cronk, LG Wes Martin, C Hunter Littlejohn, RT Brandon Knight, RB Morgan Ellison
The biggest question facing the Hoosiers is just who exactly is going to be the quarterback. The contender are Peyton Ramsey, a sophomore who was a part time starter, and sorta shined before injuring his knee late in the year, Brandon Dawkins, a grad transfer who started at Arizona last year before losing his job to Khalil Tate (no shame in that), and Michale Penix, a true freshman with a huge arm. Ramsey and Dawkins will likely split time to start, and the preference on what offense Allen wants to run will determine who starts.
Regardless of who is playing quarterback, they will have options. Running back Morgan Ellison is likely the team’s best (and most explosive) player, and will help put whoever plays QB at ease. Ellison averaged 5.0 yards per carry, and while he only had 704 yards, he found the end zone six times in 2017.
While star wide receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr. is gone, Nick Westbrook returns after tearing his ACL on the opening kickoff last season. Westbrook led the team with 995 yards in 2016, and looks to be the #1 receiver this season. Slot receiver Luke Timian is by no means a burner, but he is a reliable target underneath and could lead the team in catches. Graduated TE Ian Thomas’s receiving skills will be missed, but Ryan Watercutter looks to step in and help out as a blocker
The offensive line looks to be in fantastic shape, returning 4 starters from last year, with the only hole being at RG. C Nick Linder, a graduate transfer from Miami, looks to battle for the starting position. The loser between he and returning starter Hunter Littlejohn may be forced to kick outside to guard, which would help solidify what could be a great O-line.
Defense: 3
DT Jacob Robinson, CB Andre Brown, SS Jonathan Crawford
Allen and defensive coordinator Mark Hagen are going to be tested this year because this defense is almost completely retooled from last season. Returning only three starters from last year will make player development key. The D-line should be solid, with Robinson returning to anchor it, and DE Nile Sykes returning after an injury. Sykes should be the main pass rusher on a young defense.
The main concern for the defense is the linebacker position. Tegray Scales, the leader of the defense, has graduated, along with starter Chris Covington. This leaves the linebacking corp very thin at experience. The group will lean on sophomore Marcelino Ball for leadership and experience, despite missing nine games last season.
It is not all bad though. The secondary returns experience in what should be the strength of the defense. Senior Jonathan Crawford will take on a veteran role, being the leading returner in tackles and turnovers, If the defense plans on improving, they will have to force more turnovers in the secondary. Crawford had one last year, and the secondary as a whole had five.
Special Teams: 1
P Haydon Whitehead
Whitehead averaged 40.7 yards per punt last season as a sophomore. His ability to flip the field will be heavily relied upon to help the young defense. He’s an Aussie, so the potential is there for him to shine.
It looks to be a three-way battle to replace all-Big Ten kicker Griffin Oakes. Junior Logan Justus returns, but will be battled by Rutgers transfer Jared Smolar and freshman Charles Campbell. Campbell was the ninth-ranked kicking recruit, and received a scholarship. He should be the favorite to start the year.
Tyroil Smoochie-Wallace All Name Team Member: Ty Fryfogle
Key Losses: Tegray Scales, Simmie Cobbs Jr.
Two big parts of the team last year, they both will be sorely missed. Scales was a veteran and leader that a young defense may struggle to find. Cobbs Jr. had a huge game against Ohio State and was the leading receiver before jumping to the NFL.
Five Year Recruiting Ranking (Bill Connelly): 47
Indiana is… shockingly decent at recruiting. It will be important to keep pace and get under-the-radar recruits to keep pace in the Big Ten. Freshman Michael Penix was a top recruit in the class and may see time at QB.
Alcohol Prediction for Fans by Season’s End: Old Fashioned
Look, it gets cold around October in Big Ten country. This whiskey infused drink will help keep all the Hoosiers warm during the cold months. Plus, if the season goes down the drain, drink enough of these and you’ll wake up in basketball season, with no recollection of football.
Outlook
Being in the Big Ten East is never going to help Indiana. At best, the schedule features four near automatic losses. Indiana draws Iowa and Minnesota out of the West, which could be much worse. There is potential for six wins on the schedule, but questions have to be answered to get there. If Allen can settle on a QB and coach up an unproven defense, the Hoosiers should be bowling again in 2018.