The Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) are playing for the national championship in Miami against the Miami Hurricanes on Monday night. It’s one last ride for the group that has brought so much joy and enthusiasm to IU fans all over the country.
1. Don’t Make the Moment Bigger Than It Is
It’s the national championship and the entire college football world will have their focus on Indiana and Miami. There’s no downplaying the moment, but it doesn’t need to be bigger than it is. The Hoosiers have the same standard of play whether it’s the first game or, in this case, the last one.
“We’ve got to prepare for this game no different than we’ve prepared for Ohio State and Alabama. The biggest mistake our guys can make — and I’ll talk to them tonight in the team meeting about this — is making this game bigger than it is and going down that road.” Cignetti said. “Then that would be detrimental to our preparation and our performance. This week is no different than any other week. We have to be on point. We have to stack meetings, practices and go in totally prepared. But then you’ve got to put on it the field against a great opponent.”
This is not the Hoosiers first big postseason game this month. The stakes were high at both the Rose and Peach Bowls and the novelty of preparing for a game like the one on Monday night is becoming old hat.
2. Run the Ball and Stop the Run
The formula is as old as the sport itself. The team who runs the ball better and stops the opponent from running the ball controls the game. The Hurricanes defense is allowing 2.95 yards a rush and it may be tempting for IU to just allow quarterback Fernando Mendoza to sling it around. However, establishing a rushing attack will help neutralize the Miami pass rushers and soften up the middle of the defense.
On the flip side, Miami’s offense will want to chew up yards and the clock to keep IU’s offense on the sideline and wear down the defense. The Hurricanes want to use their size and strength upfront to try and impose their will. If IU can hold Mark Fletcher in check, they can make Miami rely on quarterback Carson Beck to make winning plays.
3. Protect Fernando and Heat Up Beck
Both defenses will try and get after both quarterbacks in this game and for good reason. The Hoosier offense will have to give quarterback Fernando Mendoza enough time to dissect a banged up secondary. Mendoza has also been really good running the ball over in the postseason as well (really all season). He can extend plays with his legs and make big time throws on the run, so even if there is a breakdown in protection, he can make a play.
The Indiana defense has to put the heat on Miami quarterback Carson Beck. He can be frustrated into making mistakes and that frustration has a habit of snowballing and boiling over. Indiana’s defense has 45 sacks on the season, two behind Miami for the tops in the nation. The Hoosiers also lead the nation with 128 tackles for loss. IU creates havoc and that is where Miami struggles.