Captain Kirkwood's Pep Talk: Terre Haute Trees

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the Captain and do not necessarily reflect the views of BtownBanners or any other rational entity.

Welcome to a New Day, Hoosier Faithful:

Not only are the Terre Haute Trees an FCS opponent, but they're an awful FCS opponent. The worst in the Missouri Valley Football Conference to be more specific. The best they can hope for on Saturday is a participation ribbon. Instead of focusing on Indiana State this week, I'll spend a minute talking more about things you can look for in the game that will indicate Indiana is ready to win the B1G championship this year.

That's right. In 2014, heroes will rise. Old champions will fall. History will be re-written. Purdue will suck again, and the Hoosiers will return to their rightful place atop the Big Ten standings.

(photo credit: gcdailyworld.com) Indiana Coach John Pont celebrates with Hoosier players.

Before you start laughing, allow me to reach into my bag of Aristotelian tricks and establish some ethos. I've been covering Indiana football since Pete Pihos was peeing the bed at night. Before Bo and Pont took us to the top. Even before Zora's 145 pound behind was the captain for all three major sport teams (that's about 48 pounds per team for anyone without a calculator).

As far as pre-game predictions go, I've yet to meet any prophets, soothsayers, oracles or crystal ball toting hippies who can compete when it comes to Indiana football. Let's just say on a scale of 1 to 454, in terms of correctly predicting Hoosier victories, I'm at 454. Admittedly, my record correctly picking losses isn't as impressive. I haven't picked any of those correctly so my all time record prediction Hoosier football games stands at 454-624.

Keys to the Game:

I've got that funny feeling in my bones again. That same tingling sensation I had in '45 and again in '67. It's the unmistakable shiver. The undeniable quiver. That aching in my liver that can mean only one thing: it's a B1G Championship year for the Fightin' Hoosiers.

Don't believe me? Think it'll be business as usual? Swashbucklin' offense and opposite-of-swashbuckling defense? Think you're being optimistic in hoping for a mere bowl birth? Here are a couple of things you can look for Saturday that will show you this year is different:

1. Suddie Sticks to Tuddies

(photo credit: indystar.com)

Did you know that Sudfeld's two interceptions against ISU last year were the most for the Sycamores in a single game all season? Did you know that the ISU defense was the "Indiana" of the FCS conference last year finishing 89th in pass defense efficiency? People forget how close the Missouri game was last year. Indiana almost tied it before half time, but instead Sudfeld threw a pick six. Fourteen point turnaround. And then of course the Minnesota game. People don't forget. Moral of the story: Sudfeld's inopportune turnovers in the ISU game carried over to the season. He won't throw a pick Saturday. Because this year is different than last.

2. Backups Bring It

Tevin Coleman and Nate Sudfeld are good at what they do, but what about the twos? Both had solid backups last year (Stephen Houston and Tre Roberson) who are no longer with the team.

Side note - poor Tre is in a day-by-day QB competition again:

I'm not going to name [a starter] for a while yet. They are both playing very well. I think we can win games with both players. I know we can. We'll wait and see. I might not say anything until game time.

- Illinois State Head Coach Brock Spack

If championship teams have depth, and Indiana is a championship team, then Indiana must have depth at both QB and RB despite what it currently looks like on paper. Senior D'Angelo Roberts has been solid throughout his career, but freshman Devine Redding will show fans he's also going to be a factor Saturday. Redshirt freshman Myles Graham could be the guy as well. Who knows. Point is, somebody other than Coleman will emerge.

(photo credit: 247sports.com) Indiana freshman Running Back Devine Redding

Indiana will build a big lead and use the remainder of the game to test out potential backup quarterbacks. Will we have a one-two "Nate" punch with walk-on Nate Boudreau? Or will the West Coast trend continue with Sudfeld's California brother, true freshman Zander Diamont? By the way, Zander is very, very California...

Freshman QB Zander Diamont doing God knows what.

3. Undeniable Defensive Dominance

Last year, Indiana State's 306 yards effort against the Hoosier defense was their fourth best offensive game of the year. If the likes of South Dakota, South Dakota State, Illinois State and North Dakota State can hold the Trees to under 200 yards and Southern Illinois can hold them to 55 (55!) yards of total offense, then any FBS team should be able to do the same. Indiana couldn't last year, but this year they'll hold ISU under 200 yards. Because this year is different.

So...

Don't worry about the score of Saturday's game. It's completely meaningless. Instead, watch for Nate to nix the picks, second stringers to be more than someday dreamers and the defense to leave no doubt that it's a new day.

Happy Kickoff Eve Hoosier Nation. Smile, for your years of tears have not been in vain. This year is the one you've been waiting for your whole, comparatively short life.

Cheers,

Captain Kirkwood

@CappinKirkwood