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Indiana has won two straight, including a 41-0 thrashing of Rutgers on Saturday, to put the Hoosiers in position for a postseason berth.
What's been the keys of late? We asked Stu Jackson of TheHoosier.com about IU and Saturdays' Bucket game at Purdue for Opponent View:
GoldandBlack.com: Indiana had a fantastic all-around performance in the win vs. Rutgers last week. What went so well?
Jackson: "It was a complete performance in all three phases. IU’s punt coverage unit recovered a fumble inside the Rutgers 10-yard line which set up an easy scoring opportunity for its offense right off the bat. Having two running backs rush for over 100 yards also helped open up the offense and prevent it from being one-dimensional. Indiana has had to rely solely on its passing game multiple times this season because an inability to run the ball, but achieved pretty good balance against Rutgers with 236 passing yards and 267 rushing yards. Defensively, the Hoosiers held the Scarlet Knights to just 2 for 13 on third-down conversions."
GoldandBlack.com: Does the "success" of IU's season hinge on whether it wins Saturday, retains the Bucket and heads to the postseason?
Jackson: "That’s a good question. Considering everything riding on the game — a potential fifth-consecutive Bucket game win and third-straight bowl appearance — a loss would certainly be disappointing for Indiana. Two of IU coach Tom Allen’s goals as part of his 'breakthrough' mantra is for Indiana to make it to a bowl game for the third season in a row and help the Hoosiers earn their first bowl victory since 1991. IU doesn’t care for moral victories — just as Purdue doesn’t, I’m sure — so playing several top-20 teams close wouldn’t be enough to consider this season a success."
GoldandBlack.com: Richard Lagow was the starter, not the starter and back to the starter now. Has he been better in the second go-around as the Hoosiers' starting quarterback? How is the offense with him at the helm, particularly with the weapons he has, like Simmie Cobbs?
Jackson: "Lagow seems more composed in his second stint as IU’s starter this season. He still makes his fair share of mistakes though, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 6-to-4 over his last three games. With him at the helm, IU’s offense seems to be high-risk, high-reward. He has the arm strength to make big plays in the passing game, but accuracy issues play into the risk factor when attempts to make those plays. Cobbs (6-foot-4, 220) and tight end Ian Thomas (6-5, 248) have both been Lagow’s favorite targets. Both have the size and speed to create mismatches not only in the open field, but in the redzone as well."
GoldandBlack.com: Indiana has been very good defensively, especially taking into account the conference schedule it played. Where are its strengths and where can it be beaten?
Jackson: "Indiana has an experienced secondary that has still played well despite playing most of the season without two key starters in cornerback A’Shon Riggins and 'husky' Marcelino Ball. Riggins is getting healthier, but Ball hasn’t played since the Georgia Southern game and will miss the remainder of the season in order to preserve his eligibility for a medical redshirt. The defensive line has also played well of late, recording 14 sacks in its last three games after having 20 through its first eight combined. Senior linebackers Tegray Scales and Chris Covington also play in important role in making sure the 4-2-5 scheme stays in sync.
"With all of that said, this is a defense that at times can still give up big plays at crucial times in a game. One example: Indiana had Michigan on the ropes until UM running back Karan Higdon rushed for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime last month. For the most part, this group plays disciplined, but it’s not immune to being beaten by big plays."
GoldandBlack.com: What do you expect that we'll see on Saturday? Keys? Prediction?
Jackson: "I wouldn’t be surprised if Saturday was a low-scoring, defensive battle. Indiana ranks No. 22 nationally in total defense, while Purdue ranks No. 35. The biggest key will be the line of scrimmage. The Hoosiers’ defensive line has 14 sacks in its last three games, while the Boilermakers’ offensive line has given up just eight. While both teams have faced challenging competition to this point in the season, I think Indiana has the edge having faced Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and Michigan State. I’ll go with Indiana 24, Purdue 21, but I could truly see this game going either way."
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