IU Will Raise the Victory Flag Against Maryland If...

Written by Sammy Jacobs

After every win the Indiana Hoosiers raise the Victory Flag high over Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers (4-0, 1-0) return to conference play as they welcome in the Maryland Terrapins (3-1, 0-1) in what could very well be a rainy Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The weather may play a major factor in how the game is played, but here are the keys to IU raising the Victory Flag again. 

1. Protect the Football

The Hoosiers have not turned the ball over yet this season and that will be put to the test against an aggressive Maryland defense and what looks like a very soggy day on Saturday. The Terrapins have forced 10 turnovers already this season, four fumbles and six interceptions. While the Hoosiers have not turned the ball over this season, it doesn’t mean there haven’t been opportunities for the opponents to jump on a loose ball or intercept a pass. IU has put the ball on the ground three times, but have lost zero of those fumbles. While Kurtis Rourke has been great this season, there have been a couple passes that could have been interceptions. Maryland is the best defense IU will have seen so far in 2024, so they may be able to capitalize on those mistakes.

2. Limit the Explosive Plays from Maryland

The Terrapins have 18 plays from scrimmage that have gone for more than 20 yards, 15 of them have come in the passing game. Indiana has allowed the second fewest 20-plus yard plays in the Big Ten so far in 2024. They have done a terrific job of keeping the play in front of them and forcing the opponent to have long drives in order to score. The more plays an offense runs, the more it has a chance to fail.

3. Don’t Let Tai Felton Beat You

Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton is all over the offensive leader boards, not only in the Big Ten but nationally as well. Felton has 41 catches for 604 yards and five touchdowns. He has nearly double the receptions of Maryland’s next leading pass catcher. He is the number one target and he is as dangerous as they come. IU is going to game plan to stop him and the weather may help limit the Maryland passing game as well. 

4. Run the Football

Saturday’s game will more than likely be a bad weather affair and the key to winning those games is being able to run the football. IU has four running backs that are capable of doing just that. The IU offense is averaging 225 yards on the ground per game and has scored a nation leading 18 touchdowns on the ground in the first four games of 2024. This does not mean IU needs to turn into Army and run the triple option. IU can still use the short and intermediate passing game to help keep Maryland honest about defending the run.

5. Play Your Game, Not Theirs

Maryland wants to go fast and take shots down field and play their brand of football which has been an issue for IU for the last decade. So far this season, IU has dictated the play and rank 24th nationally in time of possession at just north of 32 minutes per game. The long the IU offense is on the field the less time the defense has to worry about Billy Edwards and Tai Felton. This goes hand in hand with point four and with the current forecast for Saturday in Bloomington.