IUFB vs Minnesota - Saturday, 10.31.26 @ 3:30 on CBS-TV -- GAME THREAD

[TTT]

Some of the play calling was trying to cover Hoover inadequacies and let the defense carry the team.  Grant Wilson looked like a QB-IU was just more explosive threat-though as long as interceptions do not get exposed to much meaning he can have one or two in 2 or 3 games. 
Grant Wilson stands tall, is a threat to run, had command of offense and placed passes where receivers were not exposed to much plus made some very accurate throws and confidence grew with each play.  For the circumstances grew comfortable. This should give him confidence.  And IU running game can make major impact and Grant Wilson and passing game can complement running game as it was previously planned with Hoover.  Hoover currently is not even playing like a backup QB but can in this scenario.  

[Hurryin' Hoosiers]

20 hours ago, rcbowla said:

In regards to the TO thing for Minnesota's kick: I understand and agree with Cig holding 2 TO's in hopes they miss and IU gets ball at 50 yd line with chance to get in position to win with a FG. I don't know why he's getting killed for that honestly. The odds a college K is going to make a 60 yd FG is pretty low and last night was certainly an anomaly. I actually think his thought process was correct.

Their kicker had hit 25 fgs in a row..with one being a little over 50 yards.  Not sure why anyone would bet against it.

[Hovadipo]

1 hour ago, MonteMarcaccini said:

Been mentioned plenty about needing to get to the bye, so I looked at the top 30 or so teams ranked today in the Athletic.

IU is the only one that had played 9 straight weeks. (USC has played 9 games but played week 0 and had a bye on 10/17). Every other team has had a week off.

After playing on the road in front of 100k getting NEB and MICH best shot in between playing a grinder against OSU, to say they were on fumes going into MINN would be a major understatement.

Makes it all the more remarkable what this defense has done.

MUCH needed rest this week.

And all that being said, we still dominated that game by every advanced metric. Should have been a 2-3 TD win if not for one unit, who then put us in the position to take the game back.

Despite its multiple flaws, this group has all the signs of a team that no one wants in their path to the CFP title. There are maybe 2 or 3 teams in their current form that can stake that claim.

[AH1971]

2 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

Let me ask you guys this:

You saw him play against an above average Big Ten defense; what part of Grant Wilson's game appears to be lacking?

TryNew Games

 

• Does he put us into unadvisable situations?
• Does he lack mobility?
• Does he have enough arm strength?
• Can he execute back shoulder throws?
• Can he zip it into a tight window when needed?
• Is he big enough and strong enough?
• Can he take off and run when needed?
• Does he have leadership maturity?

Thought so.

I think a lot comes down to how much you trust him if you have to open up the playbook. There was virtually no tape on Wilson coming into the game and I can't imagine Minnesota spent a great deal of time prepping for him either. USC now has two weeks to prep with actual game tape.

I do think the staff would lean towards Hoover if 100% healthy, but that's just my opinion. But to his credit, he played excellent in relief. A lot of good things to like about his game. He did things Hoover hadn't done with weeks pushing the ball down field and his ability to pull the ball on zone read is just another added dimension your opponent has to prep for. 

[Lebowski]

8-1. On to SC. 

[JSHoosier]

Wilson was hitting passes downfield, Hoover has struggled with that all year. He doesn't need to be a star, just needs to be able to manage the game and not turn the ball over.

[AZ Hoosier]

1 hour ago, AH1971 said:

I think a lot comes down to how much you trust him if you have to open up the playbook. There was virtually no tape on Wilson coming into the game and I can't imagine Minnesota spent a great deal of time prepping for him either. USC now has two weeks to prep with actual game tape.

I do think the staff would lean towards Hoover if 100% healthy, but that's just my opinion. But to his credit, he played excellent in relief. A lot of good things to like about his game. He did things Hoover hadn't done with weeks pushing the ball down field and his ability to pull the ball on zone read is just another added dimension your opponent has to prep for. 

I have serious doubts that Hoover can get to 100% before USC. I don't have an issue with bringing him back - it's his team. But he must be healthy, or it's a fool's errand.

[Hoosier987]

17 minutes ago, AZ Hoosier said:

I have serious doubts that Hoover can get to 100% before USC. I don't have an issue with bringing him back - it's his team. But he must be healthy, or it's a fool's errand.

This is going to be key. My guess, and it's pure speculation, is that Hoover will get the first look if he's "healthy." This is where we need Josh to be honest. It does us no good if he's still not healthy but saying he can play. Yes, we know he can play...but to what effectiveness? It's similar to when a dugout manager walks out to the pitching mound after a pitcher throws 110 pitches. The pitcher will likely say he is good to pitch one more batter (competitive nature) but to what cost? He's likely not as effective. This is when hard decisions need to be made. Arm angle, mechanics, etc...all can help our coaching staff determine  how effective Hoover can be throwing the ball. For example, if he's throwing more at a side angle (or lower angle) that's probably not a good sign, if he's throwing at a high release...good sign. 

[Golfman25]

26 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

This is going to be key. My guess, and it's pure speculation, is that Hoover will get the first look if he's "healthy." This is where we need Josh to be honest. It does us no good if he's still not healthy but saying he can play. Yes, we know he can play...but to what effectiveness? It's similar to when a dugout manager walks out to the pitching mound after a pitcher throws 110 pitches. The pitcher will likely say he is good to pitch one more batter (competitive nature) but to what cost? He's likely not as effective. This is when hard decisions need to be made. Arm angle, mechanics, etc...all can help our coaching staff determine  how effective Hoover can be throwing the ball. For example, if he's throwing more at a side angle (or lower angle) that's probably not a good sign, if he's throwing at a high release...good sign. 

Thing is you can’t fake your health in practice.  If he’s this inaccurate in practice, then it’s on the coaches.  This may be more of a physiological injury, than a physical one.  

[str8baller]

10 hours ago, Stuhoo said:

Let me ask you guys this:

You saw him play against an above average Big Ten defense; what part of Grant Wilson's game appears to be lacking?

• Does he put us into unadvisable situations?
• Does he lack mobility?
• Does he have enough arm strength?
• Can he execute back shoulder throws?
• Can he zip it into a tight window when needed?
• Is he big enough and strong enough?
• Can he take off and run when needed?
• Does he have leadership maturity?

Thought so.

I suspect he’s the backup for a reason but I went back and watched some of his longer throws. The 3 to Becker were dang near perfect and the big 15yd in route to Marsh was right between the numbers.  
 

If Cig thinks that’s the route to go, it wouldn’t worry me too much.