NUNN’S WISE GUY
PREDICTIONS
By Jeff Nunn
The Hoosiers came off a very offensive 2016 season.
I mean offensive as they scored a lot of points,
averaging just over 25 points per game in the regular
season. It appeared as though head coach Kevin
Wilson had a plan to try to outscore the opponent
rather than stop them.
And why not when the strength of your team is your
wide receivers.
Wilson is now the offensive coordinator at Ohio State
so IU’s defensive coordinator from 2016, Tom Allen,
is now the head coach.
BREAKOUT STAR
Tegray Scales. The senior linebacker had 126 tackles last season
with a ridiculous 23.5 tackles for a loss. He had seven sacks, four QB
hurries, a forced fumble and an interception. And if the NFL doesn’t call at
the end of this season? He says he’ll go into MMA.
Indiana boasts one of the best receiving duos in the
Big 10 conference with Nick Westbrook and Simmie
Cobbs. So the question is will Tom Allen continue the
offensive mentality from last season or will he focus
more on defense? Indiana finished last season 6-6,
which was good enough for fourth in the Big 10 East.
I feel like this year’s version of the football Hoosiers
has the ability to hang with almost every team in
the Big 10 but lacks that one piece to put them near
the top. With the elite level receivers and very solid
linebackers, this team should be fun to watch. They
should be able to beat FIU, GA Southern, Maryland,
Illinois and Rutgers. The two games that could make
or break their season are at Virginia and Purdue.
WATCH LIST
Richard Lagow, the giant senior QB is Indiana’s clear leader at QB
Nick Westbrook, Had 995 yards receiving last season with 6 TDs
Marcus Oliver, Upcoming senior had 15.5 tackles for a loss last season
TOUGHEST GAME
Michigan, Oct. 14 at Indiana. The competition for toughest game is
tough with road trips to Penn State and Michigan State and home
games vs. Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin. That Michigan tilt
might be the toughest because it is sandwiched in between trip to
Penn State and Michigan State.
MY PREDICTION: The Hoosiers will go 6-6 again
and win a bowl game, but don’t be surprised if they
upset an upper level Big 10 team this year. They could
be a sleeper in the Big 10.
27