Several things stood out in IU's 38-21 victory against Western Kentucky Saturday, a team that has now lost 23 consecutive games.
1. Damarlo Belcher could be the Hoosiers' new No. 1 receiver...With teams focusing so much on Tandon Doss, Belcher could have a huge year. He proved that with his 10-catch, 135-yard performance against WKU. At 6-5, Belcher is taller than nearly every corner he lines up against.
I tend to think Belcher is going to have better numbers than Doss when all is said and done this season. Belcher already has 17 catches for 227 yards and two TDs -- he only caught five touchdown passes all of last season.
2. The running game may struggle...I said in a column earlier this year that Darius Willis was the key to IU's success this season. I still believe that is true.
But Willis and the running game struggled mightily against a weak WKU defense. The Franklin Central product gained only30 yards 13 carries, and the Hoosiers rushed for only 100 yards. If IU can't at least keep its opponents honest with the running attack, then Ben Chappell is going to have a difficult time getting anything going through the air.
3. Chappell is pretty good...We probably knew that before the game, but Chappell seems to get better and better with each passing (no pun intended) game. The fifth-year senior is in complete control of the offense and helped his team respond from an early 7-0 deficit against WKU. This guy could throw for 3,500 yards this season if he keeps playing the way it is.
What did you think of the game? How worried are you about the running game? Who will end up with more catches and yards -- Doss or Belcher? We're interested to hear your thoughts.
