Inside the Numbers: Indiana Hoosiers vs. Maryland Terrapins

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Each game week, we will take a further look into the stats to preview Indiana’s upcoming matchup. The Hoosiers look to flip the script on their three-game slide this week as they welcome the Maryland Terrapins to town. The big news out of Bloomington this week came on Sunday when Tom Allen announced that he had fired offensive line coach Darren Hiller. Now, we will see if this in-season move can have enough of an effect to turn the tide.

19

If you were somehow questioning how Indiana could have let Hiller go, look no further than this stat: Indiana has allowed 19 sacks this season, ranking them 116th out of 131 FBS schools in sacks allowed. They have not been small sacks, either; the Hoosiers have lost 165 yards of offense due to sacks, ranking them 127th in the country in sack yardage. It was more than time for a change.

“There's a standard that we play with, want to play with,” said Tom Allen on Monday. “I didn't think we were playing to that standard on the offensive line. Wanted to see improvement. Did not see it to the degree that we needed. I felt like a change was necessary.”

Rod Carey will step in and take over duties as the offensive line coach and run game coordinator this weekend. If he is able to flip the script, Hoosier fans will be forever grateful.

295

As a former offensive lineman himself, I would have to imagine one of the aspects Carey hopes to quickly change is his player’s ability to run block. Lineman have talked about this for years; while analytic gurus will tell you passing on every down is the most statistically efficient play, an offensive lineman’s mentality can be severely damaged when he is constantly back pedaling in pass protect. That is exactly what the Indiana offensive line has been asked to do thus far this season. Connor Bazelak currently leads the nation in pass attempts with 295 through 6 games, or 49.2 per game. The change certainly will not happen overnight, but Carey surely wants to be able to establish more of a balanced attack.

“This isn't a wave your magic wand and all of a sudden everything is better,” said Carey. “I certainly am not a miracle worker as far as trying to get production out. But I know this: I'm going to try because Coach Allen asked me to try.”

74.1

Just one week after facing the #1 ranked quarterback in terms of completion percentage in J.J. McCarthy of Michigan (78.3%), Indiana will welcome another highly touted passer this week. Taulia Tagovailoa and the Hoosiers have had their battles over the years, and this year he may finally be at his best. Tagovailoa is completing 74.1% of his passes this season, ranked 3rd in the nation in this statistic. He has thrown for over 1700 yards and 11 touchdowns, though his 5 interceptions are more than any other quarterback ranked in the top 20 of completion percentage.

“One of the most athletic teams we play every year,” said Allen. “That's never changed. That's still the case this year. I think the thing that sticks out to me is quarterback play. I think that [Tagovailoa has] continued to get better and better. He's a special quarterback. He played well last year in our game. He's played well this year. That to me is the key.”