Week One Matchup to Watch: IU's Defensive Line Vs. FIU's O-Line

Written By Alex Compton

Many of you were probably expecting a one-on-one matchup or something like Richard Lagow vs. the FIU defense in his first collegiate start. However, I am a big believer that most games between solid teams are won in the trenches, and this one should be no different. Opening your season on the road with a team that gave you a good test the season prior is a tough task for any program, but especially for one like Indiana that has historically struggled away from Bloomington. 

Florida International returns much of their offense that gave the Panthers the lead at halftime in Bloomington last season. Junior Quarterback Alex McGough, senior receiver Thomas Owens and junior running back Alex Gardner all return, and will have to have big days if FIU hopes to pull an upset. If McGough gets his timing down early, he has proven to be tough to stop over his career so far, so that is why the defensive line must force pressure early and often if Indiana wants a comfortable win. 

Up front, the Panthers are led by three seniors at left tackle, right guard, and center. (Edens Sineace, Trenton Saunders, Michael Montero, respectively). They had one of the best rushing attacks in the Conference USA last season, and will likely try to run the ball somewhere in the area of 30-40 times if it proves to be successful. Florida International will want to prevent a track meet with Indiana’s lethal and fast-paced offense, so slowing the game down with the run will likely be a focal point of their game plan. If FIU can pick up solid chunks of yardage on the ground repeatedly, the back end of the unit will be forced to step up in the box, which leaves outside receivers with only one-on-one matchups. While the secondary is supposedly ready to play at a much higher level this season, it would be much better for the unit as a whole if the D Line was in the backfield constantly. Disrupting the run game and timing of FIU’s offense will be bigger than any single one-on-one matchup that this game will feature. 

If the defensive line, which many are pointing out as a glaring weakness for this team, simply cannot get enough pressure and stop the run, Florida International could very easily put up 40 plus points on Thursday night. If Mark Hagen’s unit can instead show that the depth and talent is really there, Indiana should have little problem giving the Richard Lagow-led offense plenty of possessions to work with. 

Players to Watch in this Matchup

Jacob Robinson- DE #91
Will start at left defensive end and will need to be as disruptive in the run game as he is when is on blitzing situations.

Greg Gooch- DE #49
Will start opposite of Robinson at end, and will likely utilize many edge     rushes against a slower LT in Edens Sineace. 

Ja’Merez Bowen- DT #54
Ralph Green III and Nate Hoff are experienced and will likely have solid games, but IU needs energy in the middle off the bench. Watch Bowen’s motor closely.