Game Day Primer: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Virginia Cavaliers
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Peyton Ramsey and the Hoosiers look to open the season 2-0 Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By T.J. Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Week Two Primer – Virginia Cavaliers
What: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
When: Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 7:30 EST
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on BTN. You can also listen to the legendary Don Fischer on the radio on any IU Radio Network station.
What’s at Stake: Indiana and Virginia are both 1-0 after opening week victories. The Hoosiers went on the road and controlled the Florida International Panthers in Miami while the Cavaliers wore down and eventually squished the Richmond Spiders. Getting to six wins is very important for both programs and neither of them have a large margin for error so this is a game that could fairly be seen as pivotal for both sides. Indiana has won 14 of their past 16 Memorial Stadium openers and they knocked off Virginia in Charlottesville 34-17 last season.
Gameday Events: Indiana University will be dedicating the new Excellence Academy inside of Memorial Stadium. This will be the first time for fans to see the now fully enclosed Memorial Stadium after lengthy renovations that have gone on for the past several months. The Hoosiers will be wearing all red, something we will see in every home game in 2018.
Things to Watch
1. Retooling the Running Game
The Indiana Hoosiers ran for more than 200 yards in the season-opening game at Florida International. IU heavily rotated the offensive line and personnel in the backfield but were still able to find success on the ground. The line rotation will likely be pared down but the Hoosiers were dealt bad news as it was announced on Monday that starting running back Cole Gest is out for the season with a torn ACL. Stevie Scott ended up as the lead back for IU last Saturday and it is expected the big freshman will get the start in the home opener. IU is now without their projected top two running backs (Morgan Ellison remains suspended indefinitely with no timetable for a possible return) and must find a way to generate a successful running game. Scott and Mike Majette will continue to get carries. Look for players like Craig Nelson, true freshman Ronnie Walker and walk-ons Ahrod Lloyd and Ricky Brookins to get work as well. Dynamic athletes like Reece Taylor and Whop Philyor should see more action as potential ball-carriers as well. Of course, having a pair of quarterbacks that can hurt defenses with their legs helps the running game as well. Virginia held the Spiders to under 50 yards rushing so they will not be pushovers up front but IU needs to manufacture efficient rushing yardage to have a positive result.
2. Limit Explosive Plays From Cavaliers “Big Three”
Quarterback Bryce Perkins, running back Jordan Ellis and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheus form a very dangerous trio for the Virginia Cavaliers. Both Ellis and Perkins ran for more than 100 yards in their opener, Perkins added more than 100 passing yards and Zaccheus had more than 100 yards receiving. They are each big-play guys that could turn Indiana defensive mistakes into touchdowns. Tom Allen mentioned in his media availability that felt the young IU defense made a number of “fit” mistakes and it would be worked on extensively during the week. The Hoosiers need to make sure those missed assignments have been corrected or it could be a long night. Forcing Virginia’s offense to methodically work its way down the field is the way to go as it is unclear if Bryce Perkins has the accuracy needed to keep sustained drives going against the Hoosiers talented secondary.
3. Offensive Execution
The Indiana Hoosiers had to be pleased with the play they received from both Peyton Ramsey and Michael Penix. The pair of quarterbacks were each impressive in the opening contest and both will continue to see snaps if the results continue to be what they were in Miami. The offense easily could have exceeded 500 yards and 40 points if the Hoosiers had not wisely opted to bleed more than six minutes off the clock to protect their comfortable lead. Can Donavan Hale build off his impressive 2018 debut? Who will step up at running back? Will the Hoosiers be able to cut out the small mistakes they made (an offensive PI that took points off the board, unable to convert a couple of 3rd and short situations) and improve on the week one performance?
4. Takeaways
Indiana’s offense made one mistake as Peyton Ramsey tossed an ill-advised interception in the first quarter. However, the defense stepped up and forced three takeaways in the game. That was point of emphasis all offseason and Tom Allen believes continuing to force them is a key to success for the Hoosiers.
What the Sharps are Saying
The Hoosiers are laying 6.5 at home against Virginia in Week 2, even though they're now without last year's top two rushers (Morgan Ellison: suspension; Cole Gest: torn ACL). Tom Allen will have to get creative against a Virginia defense that ranked a respectable 34th in the nation in the preseason S&P and held Richmond to just 34 rushing yards in Week 1 as we were told by the guys from SportsBettingDime.com. Allen will also need a better effort from his rush defense, which gave up 170 yards to FIU; the Cavaliers are dangerous on the ground thanks, in large part, to dual-threat JUCO transfer Bryce Perkins. On a neutral field, this would be close to a pick'em game, which makes the 6.5-point spread too large. Expect the final margin to be closer to a field goal.
Game Week Links
3. Video Preview of Indiana vs. Virginia
4. Matchup to Watch: Bryce Perkins vs. Indiana’s Front Seven
5. Inside the Numbers: Efficiency and Field Position Are Vital