Match-up to Watch Indiana Hoosiers at Cincinnati Bearcats

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Hoosiers hit the road for the first time during 2022 on Saturday when they travel east to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats. IU comes in at 3-0 while UC sits at 2-1. These two teams faced off last season, a 38-24 win or the playoff bound Bearcats. While there are multiple match-ups that intrigue, there is one we will keep a close eye on and it involves IU’s linebackers and Cincinnati’s rushing attack.

Cam Jones & Aaron Casey vs. Cincinnati’s Run Game

Indiana linebackers Cam Jones and Aaron Casey are the statistical and physical leaders of IU’s defense. When a play needs to be made, it is usually one of these two. Jones leads the Hoosiers with 32 total tackles. He also two tackles or loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. Indiana’s other linebacker, Aaron Casey, has had a stellar start the to 2022 season. Casey has 22 total tackles and leads the team with six tackles for loss. The Hoosiers will need both of them to be disruptions in the backfield against Cincinnati.

Indiana’s rush defense is ranked 108th in the nation by giving up an average of 186 yards per game on the ground. That will not be good enough to knock off Cincinnati on the road.

The Bearcats come into Saturday 72nd nationally in rushing averaging 160.7 yards per game. They are led by senior Charles McClelland who has 211 yards on 33 rushes and three touchdowns. He’s a smaller back at 5’11” and 200 pounds, but he is averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Bearcats backup Corey Kiner is just 5’9”, but his 215-pound frame lets him run a bit bigger. He has 26 carries for 130 yards and three scores.

The Hoosier linebackers will have their work cut out for them, working against two solid backs and a very veteran offensive line or the Bearcats. The tackling has to be much better as well, something that was lacking over the first three weeks of the season.