Week Two Match-Up to Watch: Indiana's Offensive Line vs. Idaho's Front Seven

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers (1-0,1-0) take on the Idaho Vandals (0-1) on Saturday night in Bloomington. The Hoosiers are coming off a win over Illinois, while the Vandals lost a 24-17 decision against Power Five foe Washington State. IU is a big favorite on Saturday night, but all eyes will be on the offensive line as there is still work to be done with that unit. Add on the fact that it may be a bad weather game and this is my match-up to watch.

Indiana’s Offensive Line vs. Idaho’s Front Seven

The Indiana offensive line was improved in game one, especially in pass protection. However, there is still room for improvement and a cause for concern. While the Hoosiers allowed just one sack and protected quarterback Connor Bazelak well, the running attack was almost invisible.

The Hoosiers rushed for just 32 yards (including sack yardage) and that ranks 127th out of 131 teams in the FBS. Adding injury to insult, starting right tackle Matthew Bedford was lost for the year due to a torn ACL. Bedford was considered IU’s best offensive lineman coming into the 2022 season.

Division II transfer Parker Hanna filled in for Bedford and is listed as the number one option at that position this week, but he left a lot to be desired. The other options are Joshua Sales who is a redshirt freshman and Bray Lynch a true freshman.

While Idaho is not the ‘85 Bears, they did rack up three sacks and four tackles for a loss last week led by linebacker Fa’Avae Fa’Avae’s 11 total tackles.

The Hoosiers need to dominate the Vandals in the trenches to start to easy the anxiety surrounding the position group.