Captain Kirkwood's Pep Talk: Spittoon Showdown

Diamont in the Rough?

Alright. It's time to finally come out and admit it.

Indiana's Rose Bowl chances took a big hit last weekend.

I'm not saying it can't happen (all we have to do is beat MSU, OSU, Rutgers, PSU, and Michigan to win our division). I'm just saying it's going to be a little more interesting with Sudfeld out of the picture. I love Diamont by the way. It might actually be dangerous for his 160 pound self to play against Shilique Calhoun and the Spartan defense this weekend, but I like him. I have no idea how he'll actually play, but he has the kind of edge and attitude I think the Hoosiers need on the field.

Sparty Not So Scary:

I'm not saying any sane, rational individual should ever put any faith in the Hoosiers taking down the team with the best odds to win the National Championship. That being said, if you compare Michigan State's numbers on the road with what they've done at home they don't look so big and bad. Consider the following:

• MSU has a +36 scoring margin at home. -2.5 on the road.
  
• MSU allows a mere 49.25 rushing yards per game, 1.82 yards per carry and 0.75 touchdowns per game at home. On the road, those numbers balloon to 151 rushing yards per game, 4.65 yards per carry and 3 touchdowns per game on the road.
  
• As a whole, the defense gives up an average of 38.5 points per game on the road compared to just 14.3 at home.
  

That's what the math kids call a "statistical difference."

Indiana...better than Purdue:

Even lowly Purdue, ranked 67th in rushing offense, was able to average a gaudy 5.16 yards per carry and rush for three touchdowns last week against the apparently over-hyped Spartan D. In fact, if you didn't catch the game, mighty MSU needed a late fourth quarter interception just to seal their victory over the Boilermakers.

Granted, Indiana won't be able to do much other than run this week, and MSU knows that. Is the Hoosier offensive line good enough to open holes even when the nation's fifth best run defense knows what's coming every time? Maybe. The unit has been getting considerable love from the media of late. We'll see if they deserve it.

Coleman's Big Chance:

Speaking of media love. Coleman still isn't getting any, and he knows it. What's a guy from Indiana have to do to get serious national respect? Oh, I don't know. Maybe have a career day against a National Title contender on ESPN. Just in case Tevin needed any extra motivation, he'll be playing against a team that didn't think he'd be effective as a B1G running back and instead recruited him to play in the defensive backfield.

It doesn't matter who the QB is, this game is about Tevin Ford Coleman. This is his year. If he thinks he deserves consideration for an award that goes to the best player in the nation, this is his chance to prove it. Let's get it done.

INDIANA 24 Sparty 21

Happy Homecoming Hoosiers.

@CappinKirkwood