Hoosier Mailbag: March 1, 2014

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@sammyj108)

Welcome to the first ever Hoosier Huddle Mailbag.  Every couple of weeks we will be collecting questions from Hoosier fans all over the country (maybe even the world) and answering them on our blog.  So send in you questions for the next mailbag.

1. Josh, Monticello, IN- What can we expect from the QB position this year? More consistency I hope!

Tre Roberson will be competing for the starting QB job starting next week. 

Great question Josh, it seems like people have been looking for an answer to this for over a year now.  If last season is any indication, it shows that Kevin Wilson is very comfortable using a two-quarterback system and with Cam Coffman transferring it is truly a two-man race.  Consistency was the major issue for the Hoosiers, even though Indiana had one of the best offenses in the Big Ten.  It did seem as if the quarterback who came in off the bench would have the better game and when Wilson and the staff would start the “hot” hand, it would back fire.  Both quarterbacks had good seasons, but questions do remain after Nate Sudfeld wilted down the stretch in the wintery conditions at Wisconsin and Ohio State.  Tre Roberson, started the season slow and did not look to be 100 percent coming off of the 2012 broken leg until late in the season.  For 2014, look for Wilson and the offensive staff to continue the two-quarterback system, but in order for it to be more consistent there has to be a clear number one going into the season opener.

 2. Cody Honeycutt, Greenwood, IN- Has more importance been put on IU Football rather than IU Basketball?

Indiana has shown that it is willing to put money into the football program

Thanks for the question Cody.  To say that the Indiana Football program has over taken basketball in terms of importance to the university may be a little aggressive, however the athletic department is finally realizing that it has to put more money into football.  IU athletics has put a ton of money into all sports recently, not just in football and basketball.  In the last few years we have seen upgrades all across the board including two beautiful stadiums for softball and baseball in addition to the North End Zone Facility (Football) and Cook Hall (Basketball).  Not to mention the renovations that will begin in 2015 on Assembly Hall.

Athletic Director Fred Glass has been trying to sell the football program to students and alumni by instituting in game gimmicks and enhancing the game day experience with things such as discounts to local establishments and upgrading the TVs around the stadium concourses.  One of the issues facing Glass that needs to be improved, not just for football to be successful, but all Indiana sports, is to increase alumni donations.  An increase in donations would allow IU to spend more on quality assistants, game day experiences.  I will never expect Indiana to become a football school, but it would benefit Hoosier athletics if they invest smartly and allow the program to become successful.

 John, Portland, IN- Which freshman could have instant impacts in the 2014 season?-

Dominique Booth has big shoes to fill in 2014

We appreciate the question.  The two true freshman that will probably play the biggest roles in 2014 are WR Dominique Booth and Tight End Jordan Fuchs.  The Hoosiers lost a ton on offense with the departures of Kofi Hughes, Cody Latimore, and Ted Bolser.  However, Booth, a four-star recruit, and Fuchs, a 6’6” tight end are both in for spring practice and will be ready to step up for the Hoosiers offense when the season kicks off at the end of August.  As far as redshirt freshman go, Rashard Fant could be a sleeper in the defensive backfield