Hoosiers Face Must-Win Game in Champaign
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Tom Allen and the Hoosiers have their backs against the wall now at 3-6 (0-6) Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The Indiana Hoosiers need to win their final three games in order to reach bowl eligibility and play in the postseason for the third straight season. First year head coach Tom Allen and his squad have had to battle a brutal schedule and an inordinate number of costly injuries but none of that will stem the disappointment if the dream of a bowl game disappears with another loss this Saturday. The stakes were laid bare in a team meeting on Sunday.
“I just had every senior come down and stand in front of the whole team,” Allen said. “Wanted them to look them in the eye and want the seniors to look them in the eye and understand what’s at stake the last three weeks of the season. Special group of guys here with us, and it’s all about people. The motivation for us is from within. It’s the guy next to you. It’s not about the challenge before you, it’s those who are beside you. That’s what I believe is a powerful thing that our guys have bought into. There is a sense of urgency that I believe we have to have and we will have. I wanted the whole team to look them in the eye and know as they prepare for this huge game for us, which is the biggest game because it’s our next game, but we all understand where we are and what we need to do.”
The Hoosiers are in a true “must-win” situation for the next three weeks. First up, a contest with the Big Ten’s worst team (statistically): the Illinois Fighting Illini. The Illini have only scored 16.7 points per game and their season best offensive total came back in week one against Ball State or against Rutgers (24 points). In the Big Ten, they scored six, 16, 24, 17, 10 and 10 points and have not had to play Michigan State, Michigan or Ohio State. Illinois is averaging only 3.54 yards per carry and only 4.84 yards per play. However, the past three weeks has seen the Illini turn to the athletic Cam Thomas, a freshman from Chicago Heights, Illinois. Jeff George Jr. wasn’t getting the job done and Thomas saw his first action against Minnesota three weeks ago. He played sparingly against the Gophers and Badgers and then was turned loose a bit last week against Purdue, going 10-20 for 159 yards. He provides a more athletic option that should be able to help their beleaguered offensive line a bit. Kendrick Foster is the primary running back and he’s effective but Illinois lacks an explosive weapon and their receiving options haven’t developed enough to help whomever is playing quarterback on Saturday.
“They’ve changed quarterbacks and number 10 (Thomas) is a very good athlete. The quarterback running game with him is a lot different, and it’s something they’ve taken advantage of and been able to utilize. They have skilled receivers for sure and effective running backs that have done a good job. They have had some injuries as well at certain positions. A lot of youth on the offensive line. But to me, it’s about us playing our very best. That’s what we have to do in all three phases. We focus on being a team that does the little things right during the game: creating takeaways, protecting the football, on special teams plays. That, to me, is what has to be our formula for going on the road and winning,” Allen said.