IU-Wisconsin: What we learned
We certainly didn’t learn much of anything positive about the Hoosiers, who gave up 83 points to a team without arguably its best offensive player (RB John Clay Jr.).
The score: 83-20.
1. The defense hasn’t improved as much as we thought…After last week’s game in which IU held Iowa to 18 points, I thought the defense was starting to come into its own.
But this performance was downright embarrassing. No. 6 Wisconsin had 12 possessions in the game, and it scored 10 touchdowns and two field goals. Third-string running back Montee Ball led the way with 167 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. James White added 144 yards and two scores on 19 touches.
In the passing game, Scott Tolzien toyed with the IU defense, especially when he went to play action. The Wisconsin quarterback completed 15-of-18 passes for 181 yards and three TDs in the contest.
2. Bret Bielema likes points…The Wisconsin head coach called for a passing play with his team up by 56 points in the fourth quarter. Even with a backup quarterback in the game, Bielema refused to call off the dogs.
“It’s our job to stop them,” IU coach Bill Lynch said afterward. “That’s my philosophy about that.”
3. Lynch’s job status in limbo…It probably was before the game, but this kind of loss is going to be hard for the Hoosiers’ coach to come back from.
It’s still two early to say Lynch should be fired because IU could go out and beat Penn State and Purdue to close the season. If that were to happen, I’d have to think IU Athletics Director Fred Glass would bring Lynch back for the final year of his contract.
Still, though, this game puts a lot more pressure on Glass.
4. Chappell reached his tolerance…IU quarterback Ben Chappell left the game in the second quarter with a hip injury and did not return.
Chappell has taken big hits all season long because the Hoosiers pass so often, but he usually bounces up and stays in the game. This time was different, though, because Chappell “couldn’t move,” according to Lynch.
In Chappell’s absence, backups Edward Wright-Baker and Dusty Kiel got a chance to play.
5. Nick Turner could have a bright future…The freshman running back made a couple of big plays early, helping IU to its first touchdown drive of the game. In all, Turner had 103 yards rushing on 11 carries.
Zach Davis-Walker added 32 yards on seven touches for the Hoosiers.
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All comments (8)
Posted by Mike at 6:44 pm on November 13, 2010
Embarrassing game – period. I heard on the UGA / Auburn broadcast that Wisconsin’s point total was the most this year in Division 1 Football. No doubt that the IU players were overmatched – especially by Wisconsin’s offensive line. They are giving a lot of effort, just simply too much on the other side of the line. I believe that this game does demonstrate that it’s time for a change in leadership. We need to figure out how Northwestern continues to be competitive, and replicate that model. We need to get Purdue, and well, b-ball is here!
Posted by Tom at 9:11 pm on November 13, 2010
FIRE BILL LYNCH!!!!!!!
Posted by tberry at 11:49 am on November 14, 2010
Craig Bohl
This is the kind of coach IU should start looking for. It is doubtful that a really successful well know coach would come to IU but a winner will.
Take a look at what we need.
http://www.gobison.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2400&ATCLID=75916
Posted by IU Proud at 7:52 am on November 15, 2010
Who will IU look at to replace Lynch?? Any clue on candidates yet?
Posted by GDS IUalum at 3:20 pm on November 16, 2010
Regardless of who’s coaching, the best football players will never enroll at IU. If a great HS player had offers from Ohio State, Michigan, and IU, guess who would come in 3rd.
Posted by Husky Tom at 8:02 am on November 17, 2010
Don’t have to have the overall best players to be competitive. Look at Northwestern. Or Illinois, who won in Columbus a few years ago.
Posted by dj huk at 4:09 pm on November 17, 2010
Yeah, Lynch is brutal: the Wisconsin game was the very definition of “losing a team.” I’d like to see the next coach institute a radical spread offense. Why not shake up the Big Ten with, say, 5 receivers going out for a pass, regularly? Unlike basketball, IU football has never had a sterling reputation for defensive play, why not build on our strengths?
Posted by Podunker at 8:07 pm on November 17, 2010
Lynch is a dead coach walking. He’s done. IU can turn FB around, but it must make a committment to getting and keeping a good coach. The Hoosier Nation does not expect to beat Ohio State every year, but can we win two or three Big Ten games? Can we be competitive? No reason we can’t if IU Trustees and administrators make a committment to a quality coach.