If I'm sitting in the back row, back facing seat of the old station wagon and setting up the offensive game planning goals for our Hoosier team, I want to get our Backs and TE's 10-14 pass catching targets and 100 plus pass catch yards to diversify the offense and keep the Oregon LBs guessing on their reads and responsibilities.   

If Oregon believes they can blitz with a similar high frequency as Iowa did, I want to screen pass them to death and give Hemby the best opportunity to have a big day.

Takes I've heard this week from the Oregon side that make me shake my head. 

1.  Indiana LBs are nothing special. 

2. 2 out of 22 IU starters would possibly start for Oregon.  

3.  Oregon likely to rush for 200-250 yards, Indiana D-Lune can't hold up 

4.  Indiana got dominated in the trenches by an average/awful Iowa team. 

5.  Indiana only averaged 2.7 ypc against Iowa so their Oline has the same problems as last season against Ohio St...  (Glad those kneel downs and intentional safety help your ypc narrative, thx refs)

6.  Key matchup is if Ponds is as good as Hoosier fans think he is, then he needs to show up to limit Oregon's top WR, or it's going to be a long day.  

7.  Ponds is limited and can be exploited due to his size. 

8.  Betting line coming down because of overreaction to Penn St., not due to bettors believing in IU 

9.  A worse Oregon D in '23 had its way with freshman Mendoza led Cal team.  

9. Too much talent and speed for Oregon in this matchup. 

10.  Oregon going to wear down Indiana D-Line with their run game.  

11.   IU has average running backs, nothing special   

12.  Oregon has the advantage at WR. 

13.  Oregon will get home rushing 4. 

14.  Oregon likely to get 5 plus sacks on Mendoza

15.  Oregon WRs will exploit the IU secondary.  

Awesome to research this. Thanks for reading!

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/10/week-six-primer-oregon-ducks/

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/13/notes-and-quotes-from-cignetti-vs-michigan-state/

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/14/know-your-opponent-week-7-michigan-state-spartans/

Red Rover, Red Rover, Send Nick Marsh on over to IU this off-season.  

@middawg He's a stud

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/16/chatter-from-the-other-sideline-michigan-state/

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/16/matchup-to-watch-curt-cignetti-vs-complacency/

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/17/iu-will-raise-the-victory-flag-against-michigan-state-if/

https://hoosierhuddle.com/2025/10/18/week-seven-primer-michigan-state-spartans/

They avoid complacency and ignore their press clippings.  Otherwise, MSU beats them.  Big Ten teams have pride and Indiana will get Sparty’s best shot. 

I don’t have a good feeling about today’s game.  

Nah. We will win if … we show up. MSU is not good.

Yes, anything can happen - but not today. They will not ruin Homecoming 😎

Noticed a ton of fans didn’t come back for the second half.  I’m really hoping we can figure out a solution to that, as I don’t see that happening too much with the traditional powers.