Inside the Numbers: Indiana vs. No. 15 Penn State

Written by Matt Smith

Each game week, we will take a further look into the stats to preview Indiana’s upcoming matchup. The Hoosiers are in the midst of a five-game losing streak with a date against Penn State on the schedule this week. It is likely Indiana will not be favored in any of their remaining matchups this season, but this matchup is key to the future of the program and if Indiana has any hope for a bowl game, they have to win this game. Let’s take a look at the stats that could come into play this week.

17:46

Indiana’s offense has been struggling throughout the second half of games as of late. They haven’t been able to adjust when they head back into the tunnel for halftime. One of these issues is time of possession. Indiana’s defense was on the field for 17 minutes and 46 seconds, this was due to the fact that Indiana didn’t get a first down against Rutgers until late in the fourth quarter. The defense has become fatigued and given up big plays. 

Offensive Coordinator Walt Bell didn’t attribute the drastic difference in time of possession to the fast pace offensive scheme that he ran. He attributed the offensive struggles to their lack of third down efficiency. The Hoosiers need to keep drives alive and be able to keep the defense on the sidelines for long periods of time in order for them to get their rest. 

80.4

One of Indiana’s struggles has been establishing the run game early on in games. The Hoosiers only average 80.4 rush yards per game. In Penn State’s last matchup against Ohio State, the Buckeyes weren’t able to establish their run game for the beginning part of the game. This led to Penn State controlling the line of scrimmage for much of the game and kept them ahead. If Indiana wants to pull off another upset like in 2020, the Hoosiers will need to control the line of scrimmage in both the passing game as well as the rushing game. This also means that the offense needs to control PJ Mustipher on the line as well. Indiana has seemed to get big rushing gains early on in the second half, but eventually drives stall out. 

24.5 - 30.5

Indiana’s offense has only been able to score 24.5 points per game so far this season. Early on in games Indiana has been able to put drives together, but they eventually stall out and end up kicking field goals. The Hoosiers will need to be able to put up points against an extremely talented Penn State offense led by veteran Sean Clifford. Parker Washington has also made a name for himself as a top wide receiver in the conference. 

Indiana’s defense was once the strong point of the Hoosiers, but they have broken down in the fourth quarter of games. Most teams have been able to figure out the Tom Allen led defense late in games and pull away from the Hoosiers early on in the fourth quarter.

15

Penn State is the 15th ranked team in the country according to the college football playoff poll. This is the Hoosiers second game against a ranked opponent. The Hoosiers aren’t sure which Penn State team they will get this weekend. Penn State is coming off of a heartbreaking loss against Ohio State, in a game that they kept close until the fourth quarter. The Hoosiers will need some 2020 magic in order to try and save their season and have some sort of chance to win a bowl game and win their first game in the division.