If Indiana wants to celebrate a homecoming win on Saturday the Hoosiers will have to slow down Minnesota’s running attack
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@sammyj108)
The Hoosiers meet the Gophers on the gridiron for the first
time since 2008 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Let’s take a look into some numbers that could play a factor
in the matchup.
26-37-3-
Indiana’s record against the Golden Gophers all-time. The last Hoosier win came at home in 2007, a 40-20 romp.
217.8-
The average rushing yards per game the Gophers gain. Good for 23rd in the nation. Compared to their 122.9 passing yards per game, which leave them ranked 119th
overall. Look for the Gophers to try
and pound the rock against a banged up Indiana defense.
342.7-
Passing yards per game averaged by the Indiana offense, good for 10th
in the nation. The ground game
isn’t bad averaging 171.3 yards per
game, which puts them right in the middle of every one at 63rd in
the country.
23.1-
The average number of points given up by the Gopher defense this season. It is good for 42nd in the
nation. Something will have to
give, as the Hoosiers are 8th in the nation in scoring averaging 42.4 per contest.
7- The
number of Indiana receivers that have accumulated over 100 yards or more
through the air this season.
4-
The number of Gopher running backs who have totaled over 200 yards rushing this
season.
55.1-
The combined completion percentage of Minnesota quarterbacks Philip Nelson and
Mitch Leidner. Needless to say,
make the Gophers throw the ball.
9.5-
The amount of points that Indiana is favored to win by. Yes, you read that correctly.
These two teams are opposites when it comes to style of
play. Minnesota is going to want
to run the ball down the throat of Indiana early and often using their stable
of running backs, while the Hoosiers who have trouble stopping a nose bleed
will try and outscore the Gophers through the air. Indiana is playing at home for the first time in nearly a
month and it should give them the boost, however they need to come out the more
desperate team because if IU stumbles out of the gates on Saturday and
Minnesota can control the pace of the game, the Hoosiers bowl hopes will go
down the toilet.
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