Written By: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

After a shaky offensive start in the game against Penn State and the first couple drives at Rutgers, the Indiana offense seemed to find its footing toward the end of the game. It had perhaps its best drive of the year after the Scarlet Knights pulled within 8 points on Saturday, immediately following the Rutgers score with a methodical 6-play, 75-yard drive capped off with a touchdown of their own.

They’ll look to keep their footing against a Michigan defense that is historically formidable but has shown some weaknesses early in this 2020 season. We’ll highlight three keys that we feel the Indiana offense must accomplish if they want to secure their first victory against the Wolverines since 1987.

Get Off to a Quicker Start

The Indiana offense has actually been the weaker side of the ball for the Hoosiers so far this season. A theme we have seen so far is their inability to kick off games and second halves with productive drives. This was one of former offensive coordinator Kalen Deboer’s strengths last season, but we have not yet seen similar success under Sheridan through two games. The Hoosiers went three and out their first two drives of the game against Rutgers netting zero total yards. Their first drive after the halftime break produced a similar outcome: 3 plays, negative 5 total yards, and a punt.

“It is very important to start fast at the beginning of the game and the start of the second half,” said tight end Peyton Hendershot, who had two touchdowns on Saturday when the offense was at its best. “It sets the attitude of the game. I feel like we came out too slow…it would make our lives a lot easier if we came out stronger early.”

“I want to make sure we can find a way to start faster in each of those halves,” echoed Tom Allen on Monday.

Better, more productive drives – even if they just lead to a field goal or “offensive” punts that pin the Michigan offense deep in their own territory – will be key to pulling off the victory this Saturday.

No More Butter Fingers

At times, a culprit of unproductive drives has come from the Indiana receivers having a case of the drops. In Michigan’s game against Michigan State this past weekend, Spartan receivers consistently were extending drives that appeared to be dead by way of making improbable catches. The Wolverine defense loves to play tight man-to-man press coverage; when they’re not creating separation, Indiana receivers will be forced to make contested catches. Penix’s accuracy appeared to be back to normal on Saturday, so they’ll have to eliminate their dropped passes.

“The focus for us is on our preparation in practice and that is where it starts,” said Nick Sheridan. “The execution and the elimination of errors in practice. That was tied into the message with the guys. If we are able to do that then we feel confident that we are able to score points regularly and more consistently.”

Offensive Line Play

Seven or eight guys have played along the offensive line so far for the Hoosiers, and injury has not always been the reason why. Frankly, the offensive line hasn’t been great. The interior of the line has had the most consistent struggles, though we’ve seen the tackles miss blocks as well – best highlighted in Penn State’s back to back to back sacks allowed in what should have been Indiana’s final drive of the day late in the fourth quarter. Neither running back, Stevie Scott or Sampson James, have been extremely effective, though Scott has found the endzone twice this year.

Michigan will come into the game wanting to blitz – it’s a staple of Don Brown’s defensive systems. The offensive line needs to be at its best to give Penix time to throw, receivers time to get separation from press coverage, and running backs lanes to run. An offense can only be as good as its line, no matter how good the talent around it is.

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