In Indiana’s win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl the game turned on the decision by Kalen DeBoer to try and pick up a fourth-and-one at their own 34-yard line. DeBoer and the Tide tried to do everything in their power to get that one yard, but IU did not bite. Right there the Hoosiers won the mind game as well. Oregon is not a stranger for being aggressive in situations that may call for more conservatism and Indiana will have to be on high alert.
In the first matchup, a 30-20 IU win in Eugene, the Ducks went for it on an early fourth down and was stuffed. The Hoosiers used that momentum to put three points on the board and set the tone that the game would be a dog fight. Oregon will be without running back Jordon Davison, who was the Ducks best short yardage back this season. That may affect how the Ducks call their fourth down plays.
Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher said “it’s a lot of mental gymnastics, kind of getting things figured out and sorted out with adjustments and how are you going to handle different things from different offenses.”
In Oregon’s 23-0 win in the Orange Bowl over Texas Tech the Ducks went for it on fourth down eight times. They converted four times, which means that they gave up the ball the other four times. Even with those misses, the Ducks won the field position battle against Texas Tech. The Ducks’ average starting field position was the Oregon 49-yard line while the Red Raiders started at their own 22-yard line.
The Hoosiers need to stay disciplined as well. In the first matchup IU’s offensive line was flagged for six false starts, largely due to Oregon’s defensive line’s controversial use of stemming.
“It’s all about how you practice again. Making sure that you are on top of all the little things.” Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith said.
IU’s defense has to be ready for anything as well. Oregon’s punter likes to see if he can run before kicking and Dan Lanning and his staff are not scared to roll the dice.