Kevin Wilson’s future with Hoosiers hinges on defense
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Assistant Editor
Opponent: Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0)
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium
Indiana athletic director Fred Glass considered hiring a defensive-minded coach to replace Bill Lynch three years ago, but ultimately decided to take another chance with offense: Kevin Wilson was a bright offensive coordinator with a great resume.
Wilson’s first year was a total disaster, but he came to town during a down cycle for Hoosiers talent. Injuries, inexperience and years of poor recruiting doomed the Hoosiers to a 1-11 season. Because Indiana hadn’t had much success in the past, players cared more about playing time than winning, and some of the older players snapped at Wilson’s authority.
Since then, Wilson’s second and third years have shown promise, with an 8-14 record. Defensively, however, the Hoosiers have been a disaster, and many people in the media questioned some of Wilson’s calls at key moments in games.
The offense is fun to watch and beginning to establish itself as a top unit. Indiana quarterbacks have gone from averaging 6.3 yards an attempt in Year 1 of Wilson to 7.0 in 2012. Even after struggling against Wisconsin, the Hoosiers still have a lusty 8-yard average heading into the final two weeks of this season.
The fear is that Indiana will always be more of a 5-7 or 6-6 team unless the other side of the ball becomes respectable. It will be the defense that will determine how Wilson’s tenure plays out.
“We’ll look at personnel and schemes and coaching,” Wilson said. “It’s my problem. It’s my fault because I am the head coach. I’ve got to look at program development because we’ve developed one side. Maybe that side’s easier. I don’t know. If there’s a problem with the defense, there is a problem with me.”
Fairly or unfairly, the clock is ticking. For now, the arrows are directed at defensive coordinator Doug Mallory. Inevitably, if things don’t change, they’ll come Wilson’s way.
Three players to watch
Braxton Miller, QB: Injuries have thrown a wrench in Miller’s junior season, which could be his last in college. Last year, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and won the Big Ten’s offensive player of the year award after passing for 2,039 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushing for 1,271 yards and 13 more scores. Since then, Miller has raised his completion percentage from 58.3 to 68.0. In eight games this season, he’s thrown for 1,466 yards with 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. On the ground he has 594 yards and three TDs. Lesser talents have carved up Indiana’s defense. Miller should do it in a variety of ways.
Carlos Hyde, RB: After missing three games to suspension, Hyde has rolled through defenses in the last seven, posting 947 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Nobody can stop the guy. He’ll be a sure headache for Indiana.
Ryan Shazier, LB: He is a star, a true difference-maker. Shazier ended up with 88 tackles and 4.5 sacks in the first 10 games. He’s 6-foot-2, weighs 222 pounds and can do just about everything, including provide leadership. The junior is fast, strong and athletic. Over the past two seasons, Shazier has amassed 203 tackles, including 31.5 for loss, to go with 9.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, an interception and 12 pass break-ups. He’s arguably the best defender in the Big Ten.
Series history
The Buckeyes have won 17 straight and hold a 68-12-5 advantage in a series that began in 1901. The Hoosiers last beat Ohio State in 1988. The Buckeyes actually had a longer winning streak of 23 games from 1960 to 1986. The best stretch for Indiana was a four-game string between 1903 and 1914. As counterintuitive as this may be, the Hoosiers have pulled off 10 of their 12 wins in this series, and four of the five ties, on the road in Columbus. Go figure.
Familiar faces
Many. The Hoosiers have 16 players from neighboring Ohio: Cody Latimer, Ted Bolser, Shane Wynn, Zack Shaw, Alex Todd, Anthony Young, Mike Replogle, Ryan Phillis, Marcus Oliver, Mark Murphy, David Kaminski, Chase Hoobler, Nate Hoff, Dawson Fletcher, Patrick Dougherty and Pete Bachman. However, that’s the extent of the connections this week. The Buckeyes lack a single player from the Hoosier state.
Injury report
Running back Tevin Coleman (ankle sprain) is doubtful. Starting center Collin Rahrig (back) is probable. Guard Jacob Bailey (chipped bone in knee) is questionable and guard Jake Reed (ankle) is probable. Linebacker Steven Funderburk (back disc) is out. Part-time safety Antonio Allen (torn anterior cruciate ligament) is lost for the year. The starting right side of the offensive line – Dan Feeney (Lisfranc) and Peyton Eckert (back) – is out for the season. Reserve offensive lineman Kaminski (torn ACL) and linebacker Hoobler (stress fracture) are also finished. As for Ohio State, quarterback Miller (shoulder) is probable. Linebacker Joshua Perry (finger) is probable. Defensive end Joey Bosa (neck strain) will play. Middle linebacker Curtis Grant and defensive end Tyquan Lewis are questionable. Defensive backs Jamie Wood, Adam Griffin and Christian Bryant are out for the season, as is tight end Blake Thomas. Wide receiver James Clark (leg) is sidelined indefinitely.
Trivial
Already, Indiana has matched the program record for touchdowns in a season (52) and is on pace to shatter records for total points and points per game. Maybe it’s the speed. Indiana currently has the fourth-fastest offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision. To be precise, plays are run every 19.5 seconds.
He said it
“That’s why you come to Ohio State as a coach or a player, to get to November [with a shot] at a championship, and it’s right in front of you now if you win this one, and they know that.” – Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, on Saturday’s game against Indiana, which, if won, clinches a Buckeyes berth in the Big Ten championship game
Outlook
Six weeks ago, the Hoosiers were 3-2 and soaring high after routing Penn State but have crash-landed with four losses in their last five games. This one is a must-win for the Hoosiers after their loss to Wisconsin last week. A loss would put them out of bowl contention with one game left. The Hoosiers have been giving up over 500 yards a game, so a trip to Columbus couldn’t have come at a worse time. Ohio State has won the last 17 games in this series and could put up big numbers. The Buckeyes are hot and their offense has been unstoppable during an undefeated season. Ohio State should beat the Hoosiers, especially if Indiana heads over without Coleman, their injured halfback. The Buckeyes are third in the league with 20 takeaways. Figuring the Hoosiers have won four road games since 2007, they don’t have much of a chance. The only way is to win a shootout. Not surprisingly, Ohio State is the highest-scoring team in the Big Ten, averaging 49.4 points a game. Indiana is second at 39.1. The problem facing the Hoosiers is keeping up if Ohio State continually mounts touchdown drives. Indiana could be down four starters on offense for a second straight week.
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: chrisgoff_ISL.
