After Indiana finished 6-2 in a promising 2020 COVID-19 football season, the Hoosiers grossly disappointed the following year, going 2-10. So, what happened?
Indiana opened the season ranked in the top 25 but fell out once Big Ten play started. It battled a barrage of injuries and unfortunate losses.
That was last season. Now, we’re focused on 2022. The Hoosiers will feature a new quarterback, new coordinators, new weapons from the transfer portal and an overhaul on defense.
Get up to $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if You Don't Win!
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, DC, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY. Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA) 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, NV, NY or Ontario.
Bet $1+ on Any Market, Get $200 in Bonus Bets with code NYP365!
New players only, 21 or older. Available in NJ, CO, VA only. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. Terms and Conditions, time limits and exclusions apply.
Get a No Sweat First Bet up to $1000!
New players only, 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, PA, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY only. Full T&C apply.
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Beta testers only. Present in MA, MD, OH, TN only. Must place a cash wager of at least $5 to qualify for $200 in bonus bets. Qualifying wager must be placed before June 29, 2023 to be eligible for promotion. Bonus bet will be credited within 72 hours of qualifying wager. Terms apply. Hope is here: (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org. Must be 21+. Play it Smart from the Start. http://GameSenseMA.com Please play responsibly, for help visit mdgamblinghelp.org or call 1-800-GAMBLER. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (OH) or Call or Text the Tennessee REDLINE 1-800-889-9789(TN).
Get up to $1,250 On Caesars!
21+ only. New users and first $10+ wager only. Offer valid and must be physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, and WY only. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? IL, MD, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV: Call 1-800-GAMBLER. MA: CALL 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org. NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369). ©2023, Caesars Entertainment
Bet $20 Get $100 in Bonus Bets!
New WynnBet users only. Must be 21+. Offer available in AZ, CO, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA only. Full T&C Apply.
Up to $500 in Second Chance Bets
New players only, 21 or older. Available in CO, IA, IN, KS, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, VA only. Full T&C apply.
2nd Chance Bet up to $500 with code NYPBONUS
New players only, 21+. Available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, PA, VA only. In order to participate in this promotion, the player needs to make a first deposit (of at least $10). Full T&C apply.
2nd Chance Bet up to $100 with code NYPBONUS
New players only, 21+. Available in NY only. In order to participate in this promotion, the player needs to make a first deposit (of at least $10). Full T&C apply.
Bet $10, get $125 in sports bonus if your first bet wins!
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+ & located in PA or NJ. New users & winning bets only. T&Cs apply. See website for details.
Bet $25, Get $100 in Bonus Bets – Guaranteed!
New players only, 21 or older. Offer available in NJ only. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Full T&C apply.
Luckily for Indiana, the changes can’t make things much worse. The Hoosiers ranked 100th or worse in Offensive Success Rate, Offensive Finishing Drives and Havoc Allowed last season. Nothing went right for the Hoosiers, who averaged fewer than 300 yards and 18 points per game.
While the starting quarterback has not yet been officially named, it’s a strong assumption Missouri transfer Connor Bazelak will fill in under center after losing his starting role last season. He is a decent passer at times, but his touchdown-to-interception ratio is alarming and will need to improve fast.
Receiver D.J. Matthews is the only experienced starting wideout, although he suffered a season-ending injury after four games last year. Transfers Cam Camper and Emery Simmons will look to round out the unit as open-field playmakers.
The focus will be on the offensive line, with three starters returning. The unit failed to push back against defensive lines, giving up 29 sacks and blocking for a ground game that averaged just 3.2 yards per carry.
The Hoosiers have new faces in the backfield in transfers Shaun Shivers and Josh Henderson, but it will be tough to be bullish on a unit with new faces behind an unproven line.
The defense will also look to rebuild, bringing back a TARP (Transferring Assets and Returning Production) mark of 25 percent. Last season’s unit was still not ideal, but it proved to be better than the offensive with marks of 78th in Defensive Success Rate, 24th in Defensive Finishing Drives and 106th in Havoc.
While new defensive coordinator Chad Wilt replaces Charlton Warren, head coach Tom Allen will look to play more of a role on defense to help bolster the unit.
The secondary is the strongest unit, with the returns of Tiawan Mullen and Jaylin Williams. The Hoosiers also benefit from familiar faces in Devon Matthews and Bryant Fitzgerald at safety.
If Indiana wants to avoid finishing last in the Big Ten again in points allowed, the pressure in the backfield will need to improve to help out the secondary.
While I don’t expect the same bleak performance as last season, it’s tough to improve behind a weak offensive line with a new quarterback and running back and wide receiver corps.
The defense also has question marks up front, relying on the secondary to lock in each game — a tough ask for any unit with holes up front.
Indiana’s schedule will do it no favors, with one-possession spreads against Illinois, Western Kentucky and Cincinnati. The Hoosiers will be sizable favorites over Idaho, before playing a brutal end-of-season stretch in conference play.
I played under 4.5 wins when regular-season odds first dropped, and you can still grab the same number as of writing.
Indiana win total pick
Under 4.5 Wins -140 — BetMGM