Matchup to Watch Week Six: Indiana's Front Seven Vs. Taulia Tagovailoa

Written by Andrew Walker

Indiana continues to play some of their best football all season. Yes, I’m even comfortable in saying that after a close loss to no. 3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Michael Penix is playing extremely well thought out, athletic football. The defense is humming for the most part, and the offensive line, while giving up a few unwanted hurries, certainly isn’t in danger of being the worst ever. The Ohio State game was certainly a wakeup call for the Hoosiers. Not in the sense that they had to drastically change how they’re playing, but that they’re actually a lot closer than a lot of people think to taking over the Big Ten and challenging the perennial powerhouse Ohio State. 

This coming week is a massive one for Indiana. The ability to come off of that close of a game against a top five team in the country and play how you’re supposed to play against a Maryland team that’s been up and down this season is the mark of a really good team. The Hoosiers have a great opportunity to be that really good team. As for a matchup to watch in this game, it has to be the Terrapins’ young star QB Taulia Tagovailoa vs Indiana’s defensive line and linebackers. The phenom younger brother of the phenom Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins has done a great job as Maryland’s starting QB. A mobile quarterback that can also throw darts to anyone he pleases is the stuff of dreams for any offense, and Maryland has him on lock for a few more years.

The Hoosier defensive line and linebackers must play to their potential during this game in order to keep the short to medium throws down, as well as mitigate any chance of Tagovailoa scrambling. The spy on the QB has to be absolutely top notch this weekend. LB Micah McFadden knows exactly what the defense needs to be able to accomplish in order to keep the young QB contained. “We definitely need to keep this guy contained. We did a fairly good job last week, but we didn't get the quarterback down enough. We didn't get enough sacks. We need to continue to keep him contained, get to him and get him on the ground when we can. But also, on the back end, keeping it confusing for him, making him double clutch and go through his reads. Hopefully he will throw some takeaways for us. It's about keeping him contained and having our blitzes get there.”

Tagovailoa has had a great season for the Terrapins so far, putting up 770 yards and six touchdowns through the air. Add that to his rushing efforts, 56 total yards and two touchdowns, and you’ve got yourself a true dual-threat QB. While Tagovailoa has been playing really well for Maryland, he’s still young, and has a tendency for holding onto the ball for a little too long. 

Indiana safety Jamar Johnson, one week removed from one of the biggest interceptions of his life against Justin Fields, knows that everyone in the defense has their role. That role has to be executed perfectly in order to succeed.“ Everybody has to do their job. Coach is going to put us in the right positions, and we are going to trust the game plan. As long as everyone does their job and stays on top of the coverage, everybody running to the ball, everything should be smooth.”