Indiana Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

While Kevin Wilson’s Indiana Hoosiers have become synonymous with a strong passing game, the offensive strengths may be in the running game with eventual pro Tevin Coleman. He was among the top in the country last year in explosive runs over 30 yards.

With health on the offensive line, and youth on defense and at wide receiver, the running game was the most promising aspect, coming out of spring practice.

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

The Hoosiers have many players that are primed for a break out year in 2014.  On offense Tevin Coleman, who had a break out year in 2013, should break the 1,000-yard mark. 

The Hoosiers lost three 1,000-yard receivers after the 2013 campaign and one of the players who could be ready to step into a bigger role is 4-star recruit Dominique Booth, who enrolled early at Indiana.

On defense, several young players look to have standout years.  Rashard Fant, a 4-star recruit who redshirted in 2013, should net some playing time in the defensive backfield.  He racked up six tackles and an interception in the spring game. 

On the defensive line sophomores David Kenney (2 sacks in the spring game), and Darius Latham (2 tackles) should thrive in the new 3-4 defense.  Also look for sophomore linebackers Marcus Oliver and Clyde Newton to see the field more often in 2014, after finishing last year strong.

Grade each position group

QB (B-)  Experienced group however neither of these guys have real pro potential and have yet to separate themselves from each other

RB (A)  Talent with Tevin Coleman, and group of capable power running back-ups including D’Angelo Roberts.

WR(C+)  While Shane Wynn is very talented he will be very easy to game plan for due to the lack of explosive threats elsewhere. Most of the success in the passing game will come from the Kevin Wilson system.

OL(B+)  If healthy this talented and experienced group could be one of the best in the Big 10. However at this point they are still waiting for Freshman All-American Dan Feeney to recover fully.

Defense (C+)  With a new Defensive coordinator, Brian Knorr, and a lot youth at linebacker and safety, expect this group to play well at times but get gashed for big plays occasionally in the run game and over the middle due to lack of experience and being out of position.

ST(C)  With Indiana University all time points leader Mitch Ewald graduated, this well coached group could struggle to replace him in the kicking game and could take a step back because of it.

What can we expect from Indiana in 2014?

The Hoosiers have a ton of production to replace on offense after losing Kofi Hughes, Ted Bolser, Cody Latimer, Duwyce Wilson, and Stephen Houston after 2013. However, they do return running back Tevin Coleman, both quarterbacks in NateSudfeld and TreRoberson, as well as dynamo receiver ShaneWynn. 

Look for the offense to keep the number around the same as 2013, although the Hoosiers may have some growing pains early in the year.

As far as the defense is concerned, it cannot get worse than the last two years.  Doug Mallory was given the heave-ho and Wilson brought in former Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brian Knorr to run his 3-4 defense in Bloomington. The Hoosiers return 10 of 11 starts on that side of the ball, but lose their heart and soul in safety Greg Heban. 

The Hoosiers do catch a break as their non-conference schedule is a tad easier than 2013.  They swap a tough Navy team for NorthTexas, while also playing Indiana State to open the year. They travel to BowlingGreen, who is under a new head coach, and Missouri, who loses a lot of talent off a team that went to the SEC Title game and won the CottonBowl. 

The Big Ten did Indiana no favors in realignment, as they are stuck in a group featuring OhioState, Michigan, MichiganState, and PennState.  Their schedule in 2014 features only six home games and has them traveling to the Shoe and the Big House in back-to-back years.  The Hoosiers will have their work cut out for them and must take advantage of the easier non-conference slate. 

If the Cream and Crimson can go 3-1 or even 4-0 during the non-conference schedule, a bowl game is a realistic goal.  Indiana has winnable games in the Big Ten too as Penn State (who Indiana beat 44-24 last year), Maryland, and Purdue all visit the Rock. 

Kevin Wilson cannot have a step back year in 2014, a bowl berth is almost a must for this program, but scheduling may come back and haunt them again for the second year in a row. 

The best-case scenario for the Hoosiers is finishing the season is 9-3 (6-2), going 4-0 out of conference, while beating Penn State, Maryland, and Purdue at home and scoring three huge road wins at Iowa, Rutgers, and Michigan. The worst outcome for the Hoosiers could be a two or three win season with one Big Ten win. 

If the Hoosiers go 2-2 in the non-conference losing games at Missouri and at Bowling Green the season may get out of hand quickly.  The conference slate is daunting and IU did not win a road game in 2013. 

The 2014 Hoosiers will probably finish somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.  I’ll call for a 6-6 season with the final win coming over the Boilermakers on the season’s final day.

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Sammy Jacobs and Quai Chandler of Hoosier Huddle provided the information for our Indiana Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Hoosier  football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Sammy and Quai on Twitter @Hoosier_Huddle. 

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