Before we know it, fall's beauty will grace the IU campus and the student scene will return. Amid the multicolored leaves, the clear, blue sky and the first week of pointless classes, rests the IU football team attempting to quiet its skeptics without stud athlete Kellen Lewis.
Under The Rock will detail IU's 2009 12-game schedule in sections. First, we start with the opening three contests:
Game 1 - vs. Eastern Kentucky (Thursday night game) Sept. 3, 2009
Game 2- vs. Western Michigan
Game 3- at Akron
I have the Hoosiers beating Eastern Kentucky since they destroyed Western Kentucky last season. Both teams, to my knowledge are similar, and since this game marks the first Thursday night tussle in Memorial Stadium, I'll tip my cap to the Hoosiers. Leno predicts 1-0
Game 2 is tough. Western Michigan is a bowl team similar to what we saw in Central Michigan last season. The Broncos went 9-4 last year, their 4th loss at the Texas Bowl. I think Western wins. Leno predicts 1-1
Despite opening a new facility, I have the Hoosiers winning their first road contest at Akron. I remember two years ago when IU pounced over the Zips at Memorial Stadium, a game that was seemingly over in the first half. That doesn't mean IU should only play one half of football. 2008 anyone? Leno predicts 2-1 start
Brian Smith, Under The Rock's guest columnist, begs to differ.
Hoosiers Start 3-0
by Brian Smith
Special to Under The Rock
Eastern Kentucky, Western Michigan, and Akron do not rival the talent of Big Ten opponents, but after a disastrous 2008 season, some critics state that IU will lose to at least one game to one of its first three adversaries.
Critics should think again. Here's why: 1) The law of averages 2) Salvation 3) The Pistol
Think back to why the IU defense struggled. Injuries besieged the Hoosiers defense last season. Thus, inexperienced players inserted into the starting lineup equaled chaos. The injuries, in large part, were a major reason Indiana became the Big Ten's worst pass efficiency defense, pass defense, and, most importantly, scoring defense. Knock on wood, but the Hoosiers will fare better with injuries this season based on the law of averages alone.
The Hoosiers are embarrassed by last season's performance. With senior leadership from future NFL player Jamie Kirlew, the Hoosiers are hungry for success next season. The Hoosiers' attitude needed a change, and has already changed, based upon the returns from spring football. The fruits of the Hoosiers' labor shall be bestowed come September third, twelfth, and nineteenth, the dates of IU's first three football games.
Enter the Pistol. A shortened version of the shotgun formation, the Pistol allows a running back to stand behind the quarterback and receive the handoff while running down hill towards the line of scrimmage. With the Pistol installed, IU's rushing attack was noticeably better this spring. For further proof of what the Pistol is capable of providing, gauge by Nevada's high octane Pistol offense. In 2008, Nevada wracked up 508 yards of total offense, including 278 yards on the ground, ranking the Wolf Pack third nationally in total rushing offense. Nevada averaged 38 points per game, which was twelfth nationally.
Hoosiers start 3-0.
