Indiana’s Keys to Running Off the Wildcats

/
IMAGE: amanda pavelka, Hoosier huddle

IMAGE: amanda pavelka, Hoosier huddle

Written by Amanda Pavelka (@amandapavelka3)

Hot off back-to-back road wins at Maryland and Nebraska, the 6-2 Indiana Hoosiers will face-off the 1-6 Northwestern Wildcats under the lights at Memorial Stadium. With a crucial win for momentum on the line, here is what the Hoosiers need to focus on Saturday.

Anticipate elite Wildcat defense

With the exception of Ohio State, Indiana has been able to score at lease 27 points against their opponents. Northwestern allows their opponents to score an average of 24.4 points per game. Passing plays by the arms of Michael Penix and Peyton Ramsey have played a big role in Indiana’s success, but what they have to realize going into Saturday’s matchup is one of  Nebraska’s strongest categories is pass defense. Indiana’s is banking 312.8 passing yards per game, and Northwestern’s allowing 180 yards per game, and 164.3 yards against AP nationally-ranked opponents. Finding a way to the end zone without big passing plays and establishing a running game is key for the Hoosiers.

Defense!

Putting a halt on Northwestern’s running game will be key to shutting them out Saturday night. Indiana’s defense cannot sleep on Northwestern’s ability to run the ball. Led by freshman running back Drake Anderson, the Wildcats’ rushing offense is ranked just above the Hoosiers—averaging 140.3 rushing yards per game, and IU with 137 yards, respectively. Indiana’s rushing defense is not the best so far this season, with 139.8 yards allowed for opponents, but higher-ranked than Northwestern’s 159.4 yards average allowance. Saturday’s game is a battle of two running games.

No room for mistakes

Allowing big gains for the Wildcats or picking up unacceptable penalties could really slow momentum and be toxic to the Hoosiers. The crowd is expected to be the best it has been all season, and silly mistakes could kill the hot-off-bowl-eligible-victory vibes. The Hoosiers need to feed the crowd, and the tens of thousands of fans will feed them. They’ll need each other to pull off the crucial win Saturday night. Indiana losing a very winnable game going into their second open week, with Penn State, Michigan, and Purdue lurking, could bring the Hoosiers from their highest high to their lowest low.