@76-1 Yeah, I just don't like the risk to Becker. We fair catch a good percentage of the time, and to me Becker's advantage over tacklers is straight line speed and being tough to tackle, which could work against him getting injured on a punt return. If anyone else is as sure-handed, I think the team would be better off with that person back there. Like I said, I'm pretty sure I recall both Bond and Keys being mentioned as good returners when they were recruited.
I sure don't observe the lost step because he gets past the LOS by a good % of carries. Has burst to the 2nd level and open field. His FB speed is not elite but just as sufficient as last year.
On Hoover... My guess is he's still a tad uncomfortable in his leadership role. I think he's doing a good job, overall, spreading the ball around. He's showing leadership and toughness, and I'm sure that's building confidence from his teammates. He's just pressing a little bit. And I think he's still probably adjusting to IU's RPO reads. Which, I suspect, is having a little bit of an impact on the timing and flow of the run game. With IU's style, it isn't always about getting pushed around, or pushed back in to the backfield. If Hoover, and the running backs, aren't timing and locating the handoffs well, the line is funneling people right in to the ball carriers. I'm sure that will continue to get cleaned up, as it has in the last 2 seasons. He also hasn't pulled the ball a lot when the Ends are diving on the running back. He's gonna have to start doing that a few times a game, to keep those edge guys from crashing down the line.
The good news, the offense is still creating TONS of gaps and open opportunities. NW is an above average P4 defense. They didn't shut IU down nearly as much as IU missed on a lot of the great opportunities the offense created. This wasn't like the Michigan game a couple years ago, where Michigan's defense figured IU out, and completely shut them down. Hoover, and the offense, I think its more likely than not that they'll improve over the next couple weeks. And while neither game is in Bloomington, neither of the defenses we'll be facing will be as good as NW's.
Could not concur more. More smoothness in execution is needed and coming. Critique, critique, coaching, coaching, repetition, repetition.
These are very good points.@tmft In addition to the title rat poison, I wonder if needing to focus on the playoff during the portal was a challenge (we are still portal heavy — not enough classes yet). Also as Cig has said spring camp was limited after playing 16 games last year and dealing with injuries.
These are just some other unique factors. I don’t really know if any of these matter and where the season goes from here.
Care to make a wager on the Nebraska game?I expect another lackluster effort against Rutgers and then a loss to Nebraska. This team just isn’t there mentally or physically.
I will place a bet on Fanduel this Sunday.
Make sure you post a screencap of your big moneyline bet on the shuckers to win.
Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and likely Hoosier basketball fan.
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I sure don't observe the lost step because he gets past the LOS by a good % of carries. Has burst to the 2nd level and open field. His FB speed is not elite but just as sufficient as last year.
Talked about the highlights from UAB. I went and looked around for his big runs, and it looks like 66 yards was his longest TD run. It could very well be that he has never had the crazy top end speed I seemed to think he had.
Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and likely Hoosier basketball fan.
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Do believe you're correct. I'm a hearty favorite of his blend of speed, power, vision and balance.
@hoosier-clarion I think both he and Richards have improved a little bit each game too. Hopefully Richards is back for Nebby and we can get back to the fresh legs approach of 2 guys sharing carries.
I'm really curious to see who steps up for Rutger game.
Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and likely Hoosier basketball fan.
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Turbo is listed as probable for Saturday. I think we'll see him be the #2 back this week. And Cuono is questionable, so our only other option is the freshman.@hoosier-clarion I think both he and Richards have improved a little bit each game too. Hopefully Richards is back for Nebby and we can get back to the fresh legs approach of 2 guys sharing carries.
I'm really curious to see who steps up for Rutger game.
In his recent interview posted on the site (or somewhere) doesn't he say something about wanting to show his ability to cut and make people miss a bit more? Something like that.Do believe you're correct. I'm a hearty favorite of his blend of speed, power, vision and balance.
Sounded promising to me because he's already doing well and it read like 'hey, people haven't seen everything I do well yet'.
Turbo is listed as probable for Saturday. I think we'll see him be the #2 back this week. And Cuono is questionable, so our only other option is the freshman.@hoosier-clarion I think both he and Richards have improved a little bit each game too. Hopefully Richards is back for Nebby and we can get back to the fresh legs approach of 2 guys sharing carries.
I'm really curious to see who steps up for Rutger game.
I saw that. I hope we don't have to use him. I really hope he sits and is in better shape next week.
Hope is not optimism, which expects things to turn out well, but something rooted in the conviction that there is good worth working for. - Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and likely Hoosier basketball fan.
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@hooky Honestly, they remind me a lot of the pairing of Black and Hemby. I thought Black was a little more explosive (like Turbo), while Hemby was more the power back, like Beebe.
@gros-louis not sure who you mean: Hemby/Black or Turbo/Beebe? I think Hemby and Black were more similar in style, but to me Black was more likely to break one, although still a very tough runner. I thought by the end of the season he was our more effective back, but we still seemed to start Hemby more often I thought. Turbo I think is more clearly shiftier and more of a scat back, while Beebe is more clearly a power back. Obviously Beebe can break runs too, but I think of those as being their primary traits. What do you see differently?