Hoosier Huddle's Game Day Primer: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Maryland Terrapins
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
What: Indiana Hoosiers (3-3) vs Maryland Terrapins (4-2)
When: Saturday, October 15 at 3:30 on ESPN2
Where: Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and can be heard on the IU Radio Network.
Series History: These two division rivals began play in 1934, playing that season and the next one with IU winning both matchups. That was long before Maryland was in the Big Ten but in 2014, the series began anew with Randy Edsall’s Terrapins beating Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers 37-15. The Hoosiers won five of the next six before Maryland edged Indiana out in College Park last season. Overall, the series is at 7 wins for Indiana and 3 for Maryland. Most of the games have been close and interesting affairs with lots of points on both sides.
What’s at Stake: The Indiana Hoosiers have lost three straight games and now face the harsh reality that the chance to reach a bowl game is nearing an end. Plainly put, IU has matchups against Ohio State and Penn State remaining. Neither of those games look winnable. That leaves this Maryland game plus contests against Rutgers, Michigan State and Purdue. As things sit today, the Hoosiers would be large underdogs against the Boilermakers. I’m not a math major but it’s clear to see, the path to a bowl game probably needs to include a win over Maryland. The Terrapins likely feel the same way. They are 4-2 after a tough loss to Purdue and they enter this game as double-digit favorite. The Terps still play a revitalized Wisconsin, Penn State and Ohio State and will look at games against Indiana, Northwestern and Rutgers as a way to ensure another bowl trip under Mike Locksley. In the rugged Big Ten East, this is a game annually that both programs feel they need to win.
Picks For Tonight:
Check out PicksforTonight college football computer picks to see which way their model is picking the Hoosier game and more this weekend
A FEW THINGS TO LOOK FOR
1. A New Leader for the Offensive Line
The wish of many Hoosier fans was granted on Sunday as Tom Allen relieved offensive line coach Darren Hiller of his duties and promoted Rod Carey to the interim position of offensive line coach and run game coordinator. For at least the past couple of seasons, the offensive line has been an anchor that has weighed down the offense and the program as a whole. How much of that struggle can be attributed to Darren Hiller and how much can be remedied in one short week by Rod Carey. Carey, a former IU offensive lineman and a coach with a lot of experience in this position, said earlier this week that he liked his group of players but did not know how much he could do. As he correctly points out, there is no “magic wand” to wave. Will we see different players get a shot a playing? Will we see a clean pocket occasionally for Connor Bazelak? Can the Hoosiers have a successful run game? IU is not even averaging three yards per carry this season so the bar for improvement is very, very low. The Hoosiers need more than a little improvement though as Maryland has a pretty good run defense and a couple of individuals very capable of getting to Bazelak.
2. Will Indiana’s Disappointing Secondary Step Up Against Tagovailoa?
Taulia Tagovailoa is having a very nice season, completing nearly 75% of his passes and connecting with some very talented wideouts to lead a Maryland offense averaging 34 points per game. Maryland is averaging 6.99 yards per play, the most of any offense IU will have faced this season. IU’s secondary was supposed to be the strongest position group on the team. A veteran bunch led by Tiawan Mullen, Jaylin Williams, Bryant Fitzgerald and Monster Matthews has been good in spots but they’ve been gashed by explosive plays and opponents are completing 66.18% of passes with 16 touchdown passes. If they don’t play well on Saturday, this Maryland passing attack will carve them up. The Terps have Rakim Jarrett, Jeshaun Jones and Jacob Copeland plus emerging tight end Corey Dyches and freshman running back Roman Hemby as weapons and I think the IU defense will need to blitz to try and disrupt this offense and pressure Tagovailoa.
3. Injury Concerns
The Indiana Hoosiers are going to be without defensive leader and star linebacker Cam Jones. Tom Allen said Jones would out for “several weeks” with a foot or ankle injury. Jaylin Williams and AJ Barner are considered “week to week” and should be thought of as “doubtful” for this game. Most notably for this contest, DJ Matthews was injured against Nebraska and missed the Michigan game and will be a game-time decision. Fellow wide receiver Javon Swinton is also a game-time decision. IU will need to have a good day on offense and getting Matthews back would be a major boost for an offense that was completely inept in the second half against Michigan. Maryland has given up 22.7 points per game but they have surrendered significant yards and points against SMU, Michigan and Purdue so there could be success to be found if the offensive line can improve on Saturday and Bazelak gets a couple of his weapons back.