Allen’s 2023 Team Forced to Grow up Fast by Opening Up with Ohio State

Written by: Zachary Greene (@zachegreene)

Yesterday, Head Coach Tom Allen spoke to the media during Big Ten Media Day. A main focus from reporters was asking about opening up with Ohio State Buckeyes (Pre-Season #3). While many view it as detrimental to open with Ohio State, Allen is convinced that it will amplify the program.

“I’ve been a head coach here for seven years now, and five of those seven years we’ve opened with a Big Ten opponent. I’ve familiar with this process. My first season was against the Ohio State Buckeyes back in 2017. Challenging yes, but I would say it forces you to grow up real fast.”

Allen has always embraced an under-dog mentality. The Hoosiers will open on September 2nd as three touchdown underdogs. As fall camp starts, the focus and maturity will need to be there which Allen acknowledged. The challenge is cultivating and advancing the program with a high attention to detail.

“I think it helps you grow. The attention to detail at a high level. Everybody is excited about the season but when’s it that kind of an opponent it’s raised to another level. Our team knows that. There’s an urgency that our staff has and fall camp is affected in a very positive way. It’s a challenge that we embrace without question.”

Compared to year’s when you don’t open with a top team in the nation, Allen argues that everything speeds up. That could include the intensity of practices or simply locking in individually for the coaches and players.

“It just fast forwards everything. Sometimes you slowly build up to a game like that. We don’t have that luxury. Everything is geared around that.”

Lastly, one of the biggest challenges for Allen and his coaches is meshing the program together. He wants the best product on the field. The Hoosiers brought in transfers that hope to start week one. Those who impress during game like situations are going to get the start.

“When you have some young guys and some new guys you must be able to mold them together because the best team wins on gameday. We are trying get the best team on the field and as we move forward there’s going to be a focus on game situations than ever before. Once you get through the opportunity, I think it really allows you to have an advantage weeks two, three and four.”

There is no messing around. Everything the program does on and off the field will need to be amplified to another level for the Hoosiers to at least hold the own, but they want to win. Allen knows about opening with the Buckeyes. During the 2017 season, the Hoosiers lost 21-49 but led 14-13 at the half before getting blown out in the second half.

Stay up to date with everything Indiana Football as fall camp starts up.