We've kept you waiting long enough. Here's the third and final part of this 2008 preview of IU football, featuring a tough non-conference opponent in Central Michigan before a brutal homestretch that includes Big Ten powers Wisconsin and Penn State before arch-rival Purdue. How will IU match up against these perennially talented teams? Read on for our outlook.
Central Michigan
Where/when we’ll play them: Bloomington, 11/01/2008
Last year’s record: 8-6
Last season result: N/A
Notable players: QB Dan LeFevour (3,652 yards passing and 27 touchdowns, 1,122 yards rushing, 19 touchdowns), WR Bryan Anderson (1,132 yards receiving, 10 touchdowns), DE Frank Zombo (7.5 sacks)
Outlook: Like the Ball State game, this MAC matchup comes against another high-octane offense. The Chippewas are led by QB
Dan LeFevour, who led the team in both passing and rushing last year. Bolstered by the return of his duo of 1,000 yard receivers,
Antonio Brown and
Bryan Anderson, as well as the addition of new RB
Jahleel Addae, LeFevour looks poised to continue the offensive production that helped the Chippewas average 34.8 points per game last year. Despite the firepower, however, the defense leaves much to be desired. It allowed 36.9 points per game and boasts no highly-touted recruits that could help turn the tide. Central Michigan will be competing for top honors in the MAC along with Ball State, and should pose a similar challenge. Their explosiveness will give them a good opportunity to win and makes them a definite threat but the Hoosiers' stouter defense and home advantage gives them a clear advantage.
Cupcake rating:
5/10
Wisconsin
Where/when we’ll play them: Bloomington, 11/08/2008
Last year’s record: 9-4
Last year’s result: 3-33, Wisconsin
Notable players: RB PJ Hill (1,212 yards rushing, 14 touchdowns), RB Zach Brown (568 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns), TE Travis Beckum (982 yards, 6 touchdowns), DB Shane Carter (7 interceptions)
Outlook: The Wisconsin Badgers are a strong team inside and out, with extremely impressive depth. While they did lose starting quarterback
Tyler Donovan, Wisconsin still boasts a great running back committee led by
PJ Hill as well as most of its defensive starters. These were the biggest factors in its dominating performance of Indiana last year, which was arguably the worse loss the Hoosiers suffered all season. Don't expect the Hoosiers to have much of a chance again this year, although they will have the advantage at home. Kellen Lewis is explosive but he will have a hard time making plays against a formidable defensive front seven, and it will be hard for the IU defense to slow down Wisconsin's brutal running game.
Cupcake rating:
8.5/10
Penn State
Where/when we’ll play them: Bloomington, 11/15/2008
Last year’s record: 9-4
Last year’s result: 31-36, Penn State
Notable players: RB Evan Royster (513 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns), QB Darryl Clark, DE Maurice Evans (12.5 sacks)
Outlook: Penn State is another top Big Ten team with no proven starting quarterback or running back but a wealth of talented players ready to step in and fill the void or even exceed it. Stud defensive end
Maurice Evans returns, and of course the Nittany Lions have a vast surplus of talent in the linebacking corps (four four-star LB recruits just this year). Overall, Penn State is extremely experienced, particularly at wide receiver and in the defensive secondary, and as soon as the quarterback situation is settled, the Nittany Lions will be a strong opponent worthy of a pre-season Top 25 ranking. IU should match up somewhat better with them than the Badgers, but this will still be an uphill battle.
Cupcake rating:
7.5/10
Purdue
When/where we’ll play them: West Lafayette, 11/22/2008
Last year’s record: 8-5
Last year’s result: 27-24, Indiana
Notable players: QB Curtis Painter (3,846 yards passing, 29 touchdowns), RB Kory Sheets (859 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns)
Outlook: This is a good chance for IU to take home The Old Oaken Bucket for the second year in a row. Purdue returns star quarterback
Curtis Painter, but without WR
Dorien Bryant and TE
Dustin Keller, both of whom were huge receiving threats. The Boilermakers also suffered losses on the defensive line and in the secondary. While they of course have capable players to start in their places, it's doubtful that they will be able to have the same impact on the game as some of the departed playmakers. IU won't have the benefit of home field advantage this year, but behind Kellen Lewis the Hoosiers have a great opportunity. Don't expect Painter and the rest of the Boilermakers to go down without a fight, though. This could be another classic game.
Cupcake rating:
6/10
IU has a very rocky road on what will be a critical stretch for any hopes of making another bowl this year. Central Michigan and Purdue are very much winnable games for the Hoosiers (though Purdue will be difficult in West Lafayette), but Penn State and Wisconsin will both be heavily favored even playing in Bloomington. If the Hoosiers can make it out of this stretch at 2-2, they could very well have a bowl game in the bag. Anything more than that would just be gravy.
Part 1: http://iuplanet.com/forum/indiana-fo...art-1-3-a.html
Part 2: Cupcakes?--A breakdown of the IU Hoosiers football schedule for 2008 (Part 2 of 3)
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