Three & Out Defense: Spring Game

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@sammyj108)

We are just one day away from what looks to be a perfect day for the Cream and Crimson Game.  Who is ready for some tailgating and football?  Right now, let’s look at the questions facing the Hoosiers defense and their new coordinator Brian Knorr.

1. How Will the 3-4 Defense Look?- Hopefully better than the 4-3 the Hoosiers ran in 2013.  All kidding aside, the defense seems to have had a great spring competing against the offense.  It will look different especially up front where the Hoosiers will need to find a nose tackle to clog up the middle.  The 3-4 also allows for a more athletic and active defense, so hopefully we will see some guys flying around and making impact plays.

2. Who Will Step Up and Become A Leader on Defense?- The only thing we know about this side of the ball so far is that they lose Greg Heban at safety.  He was the heart and soul of the D.  Who steps up to take his place?  Maybe David Cooper at linebacker, Mark Murphy at safety, or will one of the young guys, like TJ Simmons, make a run at the leadership position.  Whoever takes Heban’s place will have their work cut out for them.

3. Will the Defense Show Why They Have Been Hyped All Spring?- While access at practice is limited, the tidbits that have come out of Bloomington have shown that the defense is giving the vaunted Hoosier offense a run for their money.  Can they show this on Saturday?  Will people buy into it or just panic that the offense is not as good as last season?  Hopefully, there is a nice mix of big plays on each side of the ball.