Keys to a Hoosier Win Over the Illini Friday Night
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Written by Andrew Walker
The Indiana Hoosiers will exit their offseason slumber this coming Saturday when they take on the Fighting Illini this Friday night in Bloomington. Spirits are high for Indiana’s chances against Illinois and for the whole season, but for Friday night to go well, there will have to be a few things go really right. Let’s take a look at some keys to victory for the Hoosiers.
Indiana’s Starting QB, Whoever it is, Will Need to Set the Tone Early.
The Hoosiers have quite a bit of talent in the receivers room, and they need to be put to the test this Friday night. Illinois’ secondary defense is led by returning starters Sydney Brown and Devon Witherspoon, so Indiana’s passing game will have to set a precedent against a good secondary right off the bat. With much uncertainty at the QB position, Indiana will need to make a statement in their first game.
Stop Chase Brown at all Costs
The Fighting Illini’s star 1000-yard rusher will take the field for his junior campaign this Friday, and with him comes a host of expectations. He’ll look to get off and running early, possibly proving that the mostly rebuilt offensive line has some promise for the rest of the season. Illinois’ ground game will perhaps be the focus of their offensive attack this coming Friday. Given how talented Indiana’s second level defense is, Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito may not want to sling it in Memorial Stadium as much as he maybe would like to.
Don’t Slow Down.
Plain and simple. The Hoosiers can’t blow a lead and they can’t afford to let a deficit grow if they find themselves in one. So many times in the past have games started out close, only to let a lead go or let a deficit grow. The effort head coach Tom Allen has inserted into this football team will have to be reciprocated on the field this Friday. Four quarters of effort and passion will be needed to stop this hungry Fighting Illini team. A precedent needs to be set for the kind of season Indiana will have for 2022. There may not be a more important game for the tone of the season than this one.