Highlights From Tom Allen on 'Inside Indiana Football' Radio Show Week 7

Indiana coach Tom Allen and play-by-play broadcaster Don Fischer discussed the Hoosiers' 44-17 loss to Maryland, previewed Saturday's matchup against Michigan and much more on Wednesday's edition of "Inside Indiana Football."

Daniel Olinger | Oct 12, 2023

Highlights From Tom Allen on 'Inside Indiana Football' Radio Show Week 7 /

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Indiana Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana football coach Tom Allen joined "The Voice of the Hoosiers" Don Fischer on Wednesday night's edition of the "Inside Indiana Football" radio show, live from Chop Shop Market and Table in Bloomington.

Allen and Fischer recapped Indiana's 44-17 loss to Maryland, the decision to fire Walt Bell and promote Rod Carey, previewed Saturday's game vs Michigan and a whole lot more.

Here are the highlights.

On the Decision to Fire Walt Bell

"It really comes down to scoring points, it's what you got to do offensively," Allen said. "And we're not doing that to a high enough degree to be successful, to allow us to win games."
Allen also mentioned that Indiana's offense is better than it has played so far, and that they have too many weapons on the Indiana offense to have as little production as they do through five games.
Allen mentioned how firing someone on the staff like Bell can be really tough for the players that have built close relationships with him. Though, he also said it will help that the players do have relationships built up with Rod Carey as well.
Allen said that when Carey was in the role of offensive quality control coach, the players were able to spend time with him, but that he wasn't able to instruct them, according to NCAA rules.

On How the Bye Week Helped the Team

Allen said how obviously the two weeks off allowed the team to make adjustments and rest up, but also, that it was important in allowing the players to get away from it all for a little bit.
Allen said that after last Wednesday's practice, the players were able to get away and have a break, while the coaches went out and recruited on Thursday and Friday.

On Playing Against Michigan

"We play them every single year that I've been here, that's part of the deal." Allen said.
Allen praised the Michigan for its defense. The Indiana coach brought up stats on how the Wolverines are surrendering roughly five points per game, and how a team hasn't taken a snap inside the 10-yard line against them all season.
Allen said that when IU is able to move the ball down the field against Michigan, the team will have to finish those drives with touchdowns, not field goals.
Allen said that if it wasn't for how well Georgia played against Kentucky, Michigan would probably be ranked No. 1 in the entire country.
Allen mentioned how Michigan's quarterback — J.J. McCarthy — has improved at a thrower with his accuracy this year, on top of being very creative and athletic like he's always been.
Allen said that a fellow Big Ten coach told him that Indiana is essentially preparing to play an NFL team in Week 7 with how good Michigan is.

On Playing Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State Every Year

As the Indiana coach has said before, he's looking forward to the dissolution of the East and West divisions and "more equitable schedules," as he likes to call them.
Allen brought up that, just historically speaking, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State often three of the best teams in the country.
Allen recognized that the schools the Big Ten will add are often quite competitive too, but that he likes how every team in the conference will be playing a balanced schedule.
Allen mentioned how coaches suggested that each team has the same number of protected annual rivalries, to make things as balanced as possible. However, that proposal just didn't work out logistically, and Indiana's only protected annual rival from 2024-28 will be Purdue.

On the Loss to Maryland

Allen mentioned that all three phases of the team played poorly in the 44-17 loss to Maryland. He said that even in terms of punting the ball, the Hoosiers did not do that as well as they had done in previous games.
Allen made sure to mention that he thinks of Maryland as a very good football team, and talked about how competitive the Terrapins were against Ohio State in Week 6 through three quarters.

On What to Expect from Rod Carey as an Offensive Coordinator

Allen said that he likes the perspective Carey brings to calling plays with a background as an offensive lineman and having coached the offensive line before. He said that is the type of background that has proven to have been a positive in the past.
Allen said that Carey has a lot of pride in Indiana football having played for coach Bill Mallory. He said this program is personal for Carey, and that he's confident he's the right guy for the job.