Matchup to Watch Week Two: Indiana's Defense vs. Rutgers' Rushing Attack

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Written by Andrew Walker

The Indiana Hoosiers have done the improbable. Indiana has beaten a top ten team for the first time since 1987. The overtime stretch for the touchdown that Mike Penix was able to accomplish was perhaps one of the closest calls of all time, college or pro. That win put Indiana on the map. 

The Hoosiers are now ranked 17 in the nation heading into this coming weekend. The Scarlet Knights come off an impressive win against a Michigan State team that, while they might not be like the MSU teams of old, are certainly no slouches. Rutgers put up 38 points against MSU in the win, and Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano still thinks there’s more to improve before playing the Hoosiers. “We are such a young group… we need to get better at what we do have in. Our efficiency was not what we’re looking for in certain areas. We need to improve that. 

So obviously the Rutgers Scarlet Knights know what they have in a team this year. Schiano knows that this game against Indiana will be a big one, but so does Tom Allen. A signature win against Penn State, backed up by a commanding victory over a team the Hoosiers should beat will do great things for Indiana football. 

As for a matchup to watch, the Hoosiers will be going up against the second straight talented running back group to start the season. Penn State basically ran all over the Hoosiers, combining for 257 rushing yards and two rushing TDs. Rutgers, in their win against MSU, rushed for 142 yards and four TDs. The Hoosiers will have to successfully mitigate the ground attack from Rutgers on Saturday if they want to have a shot at burying them.

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The Hoosier run defense vs. the Rutgers rushing game. That’s the matchup to watch in terms of field position and more importantly time of possession. The Hoosiers slipped by against PSU, but Indiana has to be able to control the ball for more than they did last Saturday. Penn State held the ball for just over 40 minutes while the Hoosiers had possession for just over 19. Indiana’s efficiency was just good enough to sneak by with the win, despite holding the ball for less than half the time of Penn State. 

Rutgers running back Isaih Pacheco has been a great back for them for a few years now, and this year he got off to a hot start for sure. Indiana has to be able to control his production from the line of scrimmage to be successful. Rutgers QB Noah Vedral has also been doing his share of scrambling from the pocket, and he’s been pretty successful. Rushing for 40 yards and 1 TD against Michigan State is good enough to be considered a threat.