I’m going to save my big reaction until after we actually see something on the field, but I wanted to at least get my prediction in and what I’d like to see from the offense and defense.
First, I need to shill for a minute…Please subscribe if you haven’t. This is FREE. Tell a fellow IU football fanatic to subscribe as well. I’m humbled every time I get a new subscriber. This is just a cathartic release for me. I love this team and love IU.
Follow/read me on Twitter at JordanJamie and on Peegs at BostonJamie. Also, please leave a comment if you think I’m wrong or if I messed up a spelling, height or weight…whatever, just let me know so I don’t look dumb to other readers.
Finally, please consider sharing with our fellow IUFB degenerates. If you’re as weirdly captivated (or being held against your will) with IUFB as I am, then your friends probably are too.
A quick aside before the prediction…IU didn’t put out a depth chart in the Game Notes which is honestly pretty surprising. It’s a totally dumb thing to be annoyed at, but Tom Allen was given endless crap about not naming a starting QB and even he put out a depth chart for every game.
IU vs FIU / 330ET/230CT / BTN
Prediction: IU 34-10
I’m keeping the rest of this short and sweet because I (and every other person opining on IU since the Curt Cignetti hire) will finally see what we’ve been waiting for this Saturday. Here’s my macro view and then what I want to see from the offense and defense.
Overall:
As you can see above, I will be taking IU and the UNDER.
I think IU starts slow on both sides of the ball. I think its going to take at least a quarter for both teams to get adjusted to the speed of not actually going against themselves like they have for months. Once the initial first game jitters subside, I expect IU to impose its will on FIU with their superior skill and athleticism.
One thing I’m really interested in is the tackling. IU barely tackled at all in spring and been going “thud” instead of full tackling in fall (essentially hitting but not taking to the ground) per Coach Cignetti. It’s not just going to be IU, but FIU is going to have its hands full with IU’s stable of RB’s and incredibly talented WR’s.
Offense:
IU needs to impose its will on the ground. I want to see Kaelon Black, Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton wear down this defense. IU is bigger and better than FIU upfront and not having Nick Kidwell isn’t an excuse for not dominating the defensive front from FIU. Move them off the line of scrimmage and punish them.
IU totally outmatches FIU in the passing game. Can Kurtis Rourke be a steady leader and calm his guys down early? Can he get some explosive plays early? I think they can, but it may take a drive or two.
I’ve very interested to see how the WR depth chart shakes out. It will be interesting to see how and who is lined up on the first drive. Does IU run a bunch of “10” personnel or do they play with Zach Horton more than not?
Defense:
FIU has an athletic QB who, when pressured, made a ton of mistakes last year. Can IU force those same mistakes in this one, especially because his best WR (really only decent one) transferred to Notre Dame. We’ve heard a lot from coaches about Mikail Kamara and Lanell Carr Jr. Let’s see them make plays.
It will be our first time seeing Jailin Walker and Aiden Fisher on the field together at IU. Can they control the middle of the field? Fisher will be wearing the headset. Can he get his guys set correctly pre-snap, unlike what we saw a lot during the Tom Allen era where guys were moving around at or as the ball was snapped.
I’m hoping for 3+ sacks and 2+ TO’s created. I don’t care who gets them, but IU was killed the past few years by lack of “havoc” plays. This is a team to get some against.
Just win, baby!
I would love some feedback…Always want to engage with people on here so drop a comment if you have one!