Written By T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Spring Game Primer

What: IU’s annual Cream vs. Crimson Spring Game

When: Saturday, April 18 at 2:00 PM

Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN

How to Watch: The game will be broadcast live on BTN2Go (btn2go.com/game/Indiana-spring-football-04182015)

Gameday Events: The IU Athletic Department is putting on multiple events surrounding the Spring Game (go to iuhoosiers.com for full details and registration information). Highlights include:

· Little 500 5K Run (registration at 8 AM, run starts at 10 AM)

· Indiana Football Spring Game Festival – 12-2 PM (free food and beverages for first 3K fans, live music, Hoosier Kids Zone, Beer Tent)

· Indiana Football Youth Clinic (12:30-1:30 PM for kids 12 and under)

· Special Fan Experiences and Memorial Stadium Tours

· Post-Game Autographs

A Few Things To Look For

1. How does Nate Sudfeld look (and how is he connecting with his receivers)? Sudfeld certainly won’t be taking any hits but this will be a good chance to see how the Hoosiers QB is throwing the ball. Perhaps more importantly, we’ll see which of his receivers have taken a step forward and formed better timing during this offseason. Last year’s passing attack, even while Sudfeld was healthy, never quite looked right so watch for the timing between Sudfeld and guys like Simmie Cobbs, J’Shun Harris, Dominique Booth and Ricky Jones (who has repeatedly impressed this Spring). In addition, the tight end position should be more of a factor this season so watch for how the group of Jordan Fuchs, Anthony Corsaro, Michael Cooper and Danny Friend get involved.

2. Jordan Howard is out with an injury, which running backs stand out in game action? Devine Redding is the “next man up” and we know he’ll be a significant part of the running attack in the Fall. The injury to Howard (he’ll be 100% in plenty of time for Fall camp) does open up some additional opportunities to impress for the other running backs. Tommy Mister (a guy I really like the potential of but there are questions about whether he is 100% recovered from a knee injury), Ricky Brookins, Alex Rodriguez and Andrew Wilson all figure to see carries on Saturday and there will definitely be some carries for a third running back in the Fall.

3. Can the defense continue to progress? Defenses almost always have the leg up on offenses in Spring games. Most teams don’t have their offenses completely in and most coaches run fairly basic offensive gameplans to avoid putting anything too interesting or revealing on tape for future opponents. That being said, we can still gather some useful information on individual progression and there are plenty of individual defensive players to keep an eye on. How does Nick Mangieri look on the end? Is Zach Shaw ready to be an every down starter at Bandit? Is Nile Sykes ready to contribute? Have any of the young secondary players (Padmore, Fields, Clark, Walton) separated themselves and proven to the coaches they are ready to step in this fall?

The Huddle

Indiana Hoosiers Spring Game Primer

Hoosier Huddle