2008 Hoosiers Part 1 - Offense

Welcome to my first post of the 2008 IU Football season. I want to say thank you to those who take the time to read this, and offer my apologies that I have not posted in a long time.

The season is now through week 2 and the Hoosiers have started off with a nice 2-0 start, with that they have ten more chances to reach that magical six win mark to be bowl eligible. I’m expecting them to win at least six more games and be 8-4 minimum. To do that, Lynch and company have their work cut out for them, and lucky the have a two week lull in between games to get to it.

Right now it is difficult to predict what this team will do from here on out. Starting next week against Ball State, the schedule goes from friendly to hostile in the blink of an eye. If this team is going to avoid a let down against a solid opponent, they need to buckle down and get to work.

With the loss of the Lewis to Hardy connection that produced many big plays and scoring opportunities for this team the last two years, the running game and their success is now a critical aspect that has no choice but to improve if this team wants to win. Right now it appears that Lynch and company seem set on this three back rotation of Thigpen, McCray and Payton. This actually is something that plays to their favor. These are three different styles of backs that bring their own unique skills.

Thigpen is the speed back. Make a hole, give him a seam, and watch why he is considered a track star as well. His ability to blaze a defense in the open field is amazing, his problem is the lack of field vision and that he is still hesitant to run in a hole that isn’t big enough for a Mack truck to make it through clean. The coaching staff needs to create plays that will allow Thigpen the ball in places where he can use his speed to break free. They try this with the screen, except this team does not have a receiver that can (or is willing?) to block down field.

McCray is the finesse guy. Follows his blockers and takes what develops. At times McCray can be a bit hesitant, though not as bad as Thigpen. He is that 2nd down back that is going to net 3 to 6 yards and set up a more manageable 3rd down play. He lacks the explosiveness of the other backs, if he can maintain his 4.8 yards per carry average he has now, he will be a useful back this season.

Now for Bryan Payton, my personal favorite of the three backs. Payton is the bruiser type back. Give him the ball, he is heading for the first crack he can see, and is going to pound the ball right past you. He is an explosive player that can break the big play, he doesn’t do this with super speed or by fancy foot work, he does this with power. Payton is still a 2nd or 3rd and short back when they need that push for the first down or when they need a push into the end zone. With the departure of Josiah Sears and the lack of a true full back, Payton will be a major component in the running game.

Of course we all know that the running back can only do so much, they need a push up front and an open hole. That is the job of the offensive line. This team is young on the line starting a new center, right guard and right tackle. While the push for the running game looks better, the line still needs to get better against the pass rush and give Kellen more time to work. Each game the line has got better as the game goes on, and that is a credit to the no huddle that doesn’t allow the defense to breath. The good news is the line is coming together, the bad news is they no longer have time to learn from their mistakes. They have to be solid from here on out or it could make for a long season for Lewis and the backs.

Speaking of Lewis, this year we will really get to know just what Lewis can do. Once again he has a young line with little experience, while we have a decent three back rotation and they still don’t have an every down feature back to relieve some pressure on him. The last two years these issues created problems for Lewis, but he had a experienced receiving crew that was anchored by Hardy. This year he doesn’t have that threat, he has returning experience in Means and Fisher, but neither of them are deep threat over the top players. Lewis does have two very good freshmen in Belcher and Doss, as these two see more time on the field, and adjust to the quicker speed of collegiate play, look toward them to become go to play makers. Lewis is still not 100% with his receivers, his timing was better this week, this has got to improve, he can’t expect his legs to bail him out all season.

Bottom line to the 2008 IU offense is improvement needed at every position. There is no position that is solid. Improvement will need to come 1 day at a time in practice, and 1 play at a time during games. If they can take steps forward, and not go back, this offense can score points on anyone and help give us that 8-4 season I’m predicting.