Spartan Nation 2010 Spring Football Scouting Report: Indiana Hoosiers

 

As soon as the University realizes that they have the makings of a good program, IU football may actually take off.

2009 Actual Season Record:Â 4-8

Spartan Nation Predicted 2009 Regular Season Record: 2-10 

Predicted 2010 record:Â 3-9

Projected Big Ten 2010 Standing: 10th          

Head Coach:Â Bill Lynch

What went right in 2009? Coach Lynch is one of the all-time good guys in college football. He will not fix this program and in truthfulness, he should have been let go last season. That doesn’t change that he is a great guy and at Indiana they want their football coach to not take any attention from basketball.

They had the ship going in the right direction until my friend Coach Hoeppener passed, and Lynch has done everything right other than win since he passed.

In 2009, the special teams were mediocre, but better than the offense and defense. They were second in the Big Ten with a +6 turnover margin.

What went wrong in 2009? A terrible offense and defense are what hurt the Hoosiers. They struggled in two of three facets of the game. The Hoosiers struggle to get Big Ten talent, which isn’t a death sentence if you have a staff that can develop talent not yet ready for this level. They can’t.

Analysis: The Hoosier program has some athletes and players, but sadly, is lacking the direction that it once had. A great group of men on staff doesn’t equal a great staff on Saturdays. I NEVER root for good people to fail and Coach Lynch is one of the all time best good guys. I do, however, feel badly for the Hoosier fans.

How is this program trending? Downward. Indiana has to decide if they are willing to be a doormat program with good facilities or if they are serious about football. I know several division one head coaches with accolades that all feel this job is a sleeping giant.

Until IU decides to make a commitment with the right energetic staff, this program will never be more than the basketball program’s ugly stepsister. Considering how “Ugly” basketball as gotten at IU, maybe that will come sooner rather than later.

This spring the Hoosier will be attempting to get a lot of young players’ reps. Sadly, this good group of guys have yet to prove their ability to develop talent. So what does spring bring for this program? More optimism that turns to apathy and sorrow at the end of the season while many programs with less than what IU have go bowling.