2010 Indiana Football Predictions
The Indiana Hoosiers finished up the 2009 season at 4-8 overall and tied for last in the Big Ten at 1-7. The Hoosiers only win in conference play came in a minor upset over Illinois at home. Heading into the 2010 season the Hoosiers will have their work cut out for them to make it to 6-6 and reach bowl eligibility, as they have just 13 returning starters and lose 22 lettermen from last season. Here is a look at what the Hoosiers will bring to the table this season, plus my prediction on where they finish the season in the Big 10.
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Offense: The Hoosiers should be able to score some points this season, as they bring back nine starters on this side of the ball, including senior quarterback Ben Chappell. In 2009 Chappell threw for 2,941 yards with 17 touchdowns, but will need to cut down on his 15 interceptions this season.
Chappell will have all the same weapons to work with this season, as all the weapons are back in the passing game. Junior wide out Tandon Doss received 1st Team All-Big Ten honors in 2009, after hauling in 77 passes for 962 yards and five touchdowns, but he wasn’t the only one contributing. Fellow junior Demarlo Belcher had 61 catches for 770 yards and five touchdowns, and senior Terrance Turner added 46 catches for 443 yards.
With a strong passing game the Hoosiers are hoping that they can get more out of sophomore running back Darius Willis, who had a strong freshman campaign rushing for 607 yards with six touchdowns.
The offensive line loses their starting left tackle and right guard from last season, while the rest of the unit remains the same. The Hoosiers will likely send junior Andrew McDonald out as the new starting left tackle, while senior Cody Faulkner is expected to take over at the open right guard spot.
Defense: The Hoosiers struggled on this side of the ball last season, and with only four starters back for 2010, this unit is likely going to keep them in the bottom half of the Big 10. They lose two very talented players at defensive end in Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew, and finding replacements for those two have to be top priorities this fall. They do bring back sophomore defensive tackles Adam Replogle and Larry Black.
At linebacker the Hoosiers only starter back is senior strong-side linebacker Tyler Replogle, who finished second on the team with 80 tackles in 2009. It looks as though junior Jeff Thomas will step in at middle linebacker, while sophomore Chad Sherer appears ready to take over at the weak-side linebacker spot.
In the secondary the Hoosiers only starter back is senior corner Adrian Burks. It looks as though the Hoosiers will send junior Lenyatta Kiles into the other starting corner spot, while senior Mitchell Evans and junior Chris Adkins are expected to take over at the two safety positions.
Prediction – 10th Big Ten: The offense has some nice potential to put some solid numbers on the board this season, but with the way the defense looks heading into the season, I think it will be hard for this team to compete in the Big 10.
For a complete look at how the conference will play out, check out Jimmy Boyd’s 2010 Big Ten predictions.
If you are looking to make some money betting on the college football odds this season, be sure to stop back each week once the season starts for Jimmy Boyd’s expert college football picks.
