Keys To a Hoosier Victory Over the Utes in the Foster Farms Bowl

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

It’s been about a month since the Hoosiers took the field for a game, but the Foster Farms Bowl is right around the corner for the Hoosiers and it is time to look at the keys to victory for Indiana.

1. The Battle in the Trenches Will Go a Long Way as to Who Wins

This game could very well come down to how each of the teams’ offensive and defensive lines plays against one another. Utah’s strength comes on their defensive line that is headlined by defensive end Hunter Dimick. If the Hoosiers offensive line can keep this unit in check then their offense should be able to do significant damage to Utah’s defense. If not, then Utah could make it a long night for Richard Lagow and the IU offense.

On defense the Hoosiers front four will have to create havoc in the Utah backfield and put the heat on Troy Williams who has looked shaky all season long. Good line play from the Hoosiers will also allow the strength of this defense, linebackers Marcus Oliver and Tegray Scales, to run around and make plays. 

2. IU’s Offense Needs Tempo and Rhythm

For most of this season the Hoosiers offense seemed like it was stuck in the mud. The hope is that the time away from the field to take a step back on the season and the extra practices will have fixed the issues that plagued them. When IU’s offense was at its best, they were moving the ball with tempo and able to establish a rhythm running the ball. Utah has struggled with up-tempo teams this season as they lost to Washington, California, Colorado, and Oregon, all teams with high-powered offenses. 

3. Stop Joe Williams and Make Troy Williams Beat You

Over the final six games of the season running back Joe Williams was Utah’s biggest and most explosive weapon on offense. Williams retired for about a month after the second week of the season, however he returned with a bang accumulating more than 1,100 yards over the last six games. The Hoosiers will have to continue their improvement defending the run and take away Joe Williams and make inconsistent quarterback Troy Williams beat them. Williams completed only 53 percent of his passes this season and threw seven interceptions. Troy Williams reminds me of Nebraska’s Tommy Armstrong, in that he has a big arm and can make some deep throws, but he lacks the accuracy to be great in the passing game. If IU can follow the game plan they had against Nebraska, they should be able to take advantage of Williams’ wildness.

4. Play Even on Special Teams

One of the bigger mismatches on paper in this game is on special teams. Indiana struggled all year with consistency in the kicking game and a lack of explosion plays in the return game. On the other hand, Utah is one of the best in the nation on special teams. They have a former All-American kicker in Andy Phillips, the Ray Guy Award winner at punter, and returners who can break loose at any moment. The Hoosiers cannot let the gap in performance be as wide as it was during the regular season. If the Hoosiers get the 2015 version of Griffin Oakes back, that will go along way to evening the playing field. However, IU will need drastic improvements from punter Joseph Gedeon and the kick return unit to really make up some ground against Utah.

5. Get Hoosier Playmakers to the Second Level of Utah’s Defense

As we said above, the strength of the Utah defense is their defensive line. In order to be successful against the Utes, IU will have to get their playmakers into the second level, something they have struggled with most of the season. Whether it is by running the ball with Devine Redding and company or slinging the ball out to the wide receivers, Indiana must hold their blocks up front and get linemen and tight ends on linebackers to clear the way. IU’s skill players, if given the space, should create a mismatch against the Utah backend.