Indiana’s Three Defensive Keys To Victory

Happy Halloween Hoosier Nation! What’s better than having Halloween on a Friday night before a football Saturday? Not much. This week the Hoosiers head up to Ann Arbor, Michigan to take on a Michigan team who will be dressing up as a dumpster fire. Since Michigan is dressing up, let’s see what costumes the Hoosiers defense must wear to win in the Big House for the first time since 1967.

  1. A Turnover Machine The Hoosiers have not forced too many turnovers in 2014, but playing against a Michigan squad that has butterfingers more times than trick-or-treaters could certainly help. The Wolverines have turned the ball over a whopping 19 times this season, led by quarterback Devin Gardner’s 10 interceptions. Indiana’s defense should be rejuvenated and play with a new sense of energy.
  2. The Energizer Bunny Head coach Kevin Wilson commented all week that the defense must play with more energy, confidence, and effort. It should help the Hoosiers’ energy that they have had an extra week before playing Michigan. IU needs to fly around and get into the backfield to harass Devin Gardner. Putting pressure on Gardner will force him into making poor decisions and will give this young IU defense a chance to get the ball back quickly.
  3. Take the Fun(chess) Away- Indiana’s pass defense was torched the last time these two teams matched up. Thankfully for the Hoosiers, Jeremy Gallon is no longer wearing Maize and Blue. However, the Wolverines have a receiver in Devin Funchess that is well deserving of wearing that No. 1 jersey. Funchess has recorded 41 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns. He is a big, physical receiver who can stretch the field and can be a matchup issue for the Hoosier defensive backs. If IU can somehow find a way to contain him, this game becomes much more winnable.

 

*Section Photo credit to Michael Hickey, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Brian Spurlock, USA Today Sports. 

Indiana’s Three Offensive Keys To Victory
Indiana’s Three Offensive Keys To Victory