Inside the Numbers: Indiana Hoosiers at Nebraska Cornhuskers

Image: Cam Koenig Hoosier Huddle

Written by Andrew Walker

The Indiana Football Hoosiers are one win away from a bowl bid. If you ask Tom Allen, that’s not necessarily on his mind that much, but it’s completely relevant and understandable to be excited about. The Hoosiers will make their trip to Nebraska to battle the Cornhuskers (4-3) and it can be assured that win #6 will be on the mind of every Hoosier fan. Let’s go inside the numbers of the Hoosiers and Huskers and see who’s got the statistical edge. 

1. Red zone success percentage

Indiana - 83.87%

I’d love to harp on this every week, because it’s important. Maybe one week I’ll leave it out, but for now when Indiana’s victory means the difference between a celebration for a bowl bid and having to wait another week. Indiana is extremely efficient when they get inside the 20 yard line. Kalen DeBoer is using some great tactics to take advantage of the short field, picking apart the defense with great receiver talent and force of nature, Stevie Scott. This red zone efficiency has been and will be a big part of Indiana’s success.

Nebraska - 68%

Nebraska, not as efficient as Indiana, is doing just enough in the red zone to make their offensive attacks threatening against any defense. Junior running back Dedrick Mills leads the Cornhuskers in scoring, with seven TDs on the year. Mills is a red zone force not to be reckoned with. Standing 5-11, 220lbs, Mills has rushed for 350 yards on the season, and is a perennial threat to any defense inside the red zone. 

2. Defense

Indiana

One of the things that first year DC Kane Wommack emphasizes is the success of the pass rush. Indiana boasts a top 20 defense nationally (per NCAA.com) and a nice 19 QB hurries and 18 sacks so far on the year. A combination of veterans, young guys, and a lot of excitement about this football team makes this defense a hungry one. 

Nebraska

Nebraska’s defense has a high number of passes broken up. The huskers play strong and fast in the secondary and it shows through their 33 PBU’s. Senior DB Lamar Jackson leads the team with 11 PBU’s in what’s turned out to be a pretty decent year for the Husker defense in general. Sophomore DB Cam Taylor-Britt has also contributed an impressive four forced fumbles in his efforts for the defense. 

3. Penalties

Indiana - 6.9 per game

The Hoosiers have been relatively careless in committing penalties this season. There’s no getting around the fact that penalties have hurt Indiana’s efficiency in some of the worst ways a few times this year. At almost seven penalties per game and just under 70 yards given up per game, the Hoosiers could stand to benefit from cutting that number down. Especially when the Hoosiers are basically giving up the total of a whole drive every game in penalty yards. 

Nebraska - 6.4 per game

The Cornhuskers aren’t that much better off than Indiana when it comes to committing penalties. At 6.4 per game and about 54 yards given up to penalties per game, Nebraska isn’t giving up as much as the Hoosiers, but it still hurts. I think penalties will play their fair part in Saturday's game, especially with it being an away game for the Hoosiers. A win for Indiana would do a lot for their credibility and secure their spot in a bowl game, but penalty yards should always be a concern to derail their hard work.