IU football new year’s resolutions

The arrival of a new year brings with it the hope of improving one’s quality of life.
Many Americans are fond of making New Year’s resolutions to fulfill that hope, but only those who are willing to persevere and sacrifice will see the fruition of their self-made proclamations.

IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s Hoosiers would be wise to follow the trend and make a few resolutions of their own, because room for improvement in 2013 is vast for a team that finished the 2012 regular season with a 4-8 record.

1. Bolster the rushing defense

At any level of football, the key ingredient of a victorious formula is to, first and foremost, stop the run.

The Hoosiers were abysmal in that department in 2012, having finished the season ranked 116th out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in rushing defense, allowing an average of 231.33 yards per game on the ground.

If IU wishes to be competitive in the Big Ten Conference Championship race, it simply can’t be as porous against the run as it was in 2012.

2. Solve the quarterback quandary

Some may disagree that the Hoosiers’ quarterback situation is, in fact, a quandary, but entering spring practices, it’s only fair to assume that sophomore Cameron Coffman and sophomore Tre Roberson are on equal footing.

Sure, Roberson was named the Hoosiers’ starting quarterback entering the 2012 season, but Coffman played his way into consideration for the starting job.

If this position remains in flux through spring ball and fall camp, the offense may go through the motions for long stretches as it did a season ago.

3. Protect the football

Another key ingredient to winning is protecting the football by limiting turnovers.
The Hoosiers weren’t terrible in terms of protecting the ball in 2012, but they weren’t great, either, finishing ranked 74th nationally in turnover margin at -.25.

There is no greater demise to a team dripping with potential than turnovers. For IU to achieve its dreams of playing for a Big Ten Championship, it must take excellent care of the ball.

4. Limit “big yardage” plays defensively

My definition of a “big yardage” play is one that covers at least 20 yards.

The Hoosiers were burned by these plays consistently in 2012, and it started immediately, as they allowed six plays of this variety against intrastate foe Indiana State during a 24-17 victory over the Sycamores to begin the season.

Not only do these types of plays kill a team’s confidence, but they also possess the ability to swing momentum 180 degrees in one fell swoop.

5. Qualify for a bowl game

The Hoosiers haven’t fulfilled former IU Coach Terry Hoeppner’s vision of “playing 13” since 2007, when they lost to Oklahoma State, 49-33, in the Insight Bowl.

IU’s chances of making a return to postseason play look bright, with the season’s first five games being played at Memorial Stadium against beatable teams, including Indiana State, Navy, Bowling Green, Missouri and Penn State.

And with 19 returning starters entering the 2013 season, the end goal should be nothing short of a bowl game.

— ckillore@indiana.edu