IndyHutch Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 It's the million dollar question as Indiana travels to State College to take on Penn State: Will the Hoosiers have Nate Sudfeld and/or Jordan Howard? It could easily be the difference between opening the season 5-1 or 4-2.Nate Sudfeld and Jordan Howard are travelling to Penn State on Saturday for the Big Ten matchup against the Nittany Lions. That much we know. And yet, as I drive to State College on Friday, that will continue to be the theme of my thought process as the Hoosiers try to bounce back from last week’s loss to Ohio State. The obvious question: Can Sudfeld and Howard be ready for Penn State? My best guess is that at the very least Sudfeld will try to give it a go. I know he wanted to get back in the game on Saturday against Ohio State but the coaching staff opted to take the safe approach. It didn’t hurt that Zander Diamont had led IU on a long touchdown drive and then scampered 79 yards for a touchdown a little bit later. That had to make the Sudfeld decision a little easier. But when you look at Saturday’s game at Penn State and ask yourself who gives you the best chance to come out of Happy Valley with a victory over the Nittany Lions for the first time in school history, you have to think that’s Sudfeld. All you have to remember is what Sudfeld did against these same Nittany Lions two years ago in Bloomington. He completed 23 of 38 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns and IU manhandled Penn State that day 44-24. Contrast that to last season when Penn State won in Bloomington, 13-7. The quarterback that day was Diamont, filling in for the injured Sudfeld. Most people left Memorial Stadium that day believing that IU had missed a golden opportunity to beat Penn State for a second year in a row. But the reality was that without Sudfeld at the helm, the Hoosiers just couldn’t get it done. Diamont was 13 of 27 for 68 yards. He also ran for 58 yards but IU’s offense was stuck in second gear. Indiana’s only touchdown last season against Penn State was on a 47 yard interception return for a score by Mark Murphy. And I haven’t even talked about Howard. If both Sudfeld and Howard are in the lineup, I honestly believe that Indiana has a chance to knock Penn State off in Happy Valley. If the IU offense is unpredictable in terms of running and throwing the football and the play action fake is working with Howard in the lineup, Indiana has a chance to put a big number. And if you can score 30 or more in this game, one would think you’d have a pretty good chance to win. But we’re getting too far ahead of ourselves. The big question right now is how will Sudfeld and Howard feel tomorrow when they step on the field early, go through their paces and see if they can play against the Nittany Lions. If they can, don’t be surprised if IU heads to Homecoming with a 5-1 record. If they can’t go, however, I would think 4-2 would be a lot more realistic. [url=https://btownbanners.com/page/index.html/_/football/analysi/analysis-will-iu-have-sudfeld-andor-howard-ve-r230]Click here to view the article[/url] mamasa, Naturalhoosier, Dalton26 and 1 other 4 Quote
HoosierReb01 Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 Driving to State College? Why not take the Btown Banners jet? I actually think we can win this game without either one, but that's a best case scenario. Having at least one of them back would make me feel a hell of a lot better about it. Quote
Alford Bailey Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 I think they both play. I hoping Howard if just one. Quote
HoosierReb01 Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 The key to IU winning this game? Defense. Quote
MartintheMopMan Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 The key to IU winning this game? Defense. Defense? Who is that? I've been watching this team for a really long time and I've never heard of him. Has he been redshirted? Has anyone ever told him his name sounds a lot like "Offense"? Quote
Naturalhoosier Posted October 9, 2015 Posted October 9, 2015 It's only a 2-3 hr drive for me. :) JaybobHoosier 1 Quote
HoosierReb01 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 It's only a 2-3 hr drive for me. :) Question is, are you making the drive? Naturalhoosier 1 Quote
Naturalhoosier Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Question is, are you making the drive? Not for this one. :( Jayboob and the Mrs are coming out in November and we're heading to the Maryland game though!!!!!! JaybobHoosier and HoosierReb01 2 Quote
HoosierReb01 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Not for this one. :( Jayboob and the Mrs are coming out in November and we're heading to the Maryland game though!!!!!! Bet he's working on a new dance routine for you. mdn82, Naturalhoosier, JaybobHoosier and 1 other 4 Quote
IndyHutch Posted October 10, 2015 Author Posted October 10, 2015 Driving to State College? Why not take the Btown Banners jet? I actually think we can win this game without either one, but that's a best case scenario. Having at least one of them back would make me feel a hell of a lot better about it. I keep hearing about the Btownbanners jet but every time I asked the boss about it he says it has maintenance issues. I'm probably safer driving. mdn82, HoosierAloha, HoosierReb01 and 2 others 5 Quote
IndyHutch Posted October 10, 2015 Author Posted October 10, 2015 I think they both play. I hoping Howard if just one. The problem is we don't know enough about Howard to know if he's a quick healer on something like this. I liked the way he tried to come back (twice) against Ohio State but the fact he ultimately couldn't go worries me. If I had to guess I would think Sudfeld over Howard but we're going to have to wait and see. djsalway and HoosierReb01 2 Quote
IndyHutch Posted October 10, 2015 Author Posted October 10, 2015 Hutch, I don't know about a million dollar question but maybe $20. :) I should just tone down the cliches, huh? Naturalhoosier 1 Quote
IndyHutch Posted October 10, 2015 Author Posted October 10, 2015 Not for this one. :( Jayboob and the Mrs are coming out in November and we're heading to the Maryland game though!!!!!! I plan to be there for the Maryland game, too. I do stats for Fish and Buck in the IU radio booth so I have assistance getting there. If you listen to the radio broadcasts, any time Buck refers to comment made by the "crack statistician" that would be. Usually that's where it ends. Against Wake Forest I made a Mr. Obvious comment and Buck had some fun with me at my expense but I'm normally the guy in the background. I've been doing stats for them for 16 seasons. HoosierReb01, LIHoosier, ThompsonHoosier and 2 others 5 Quote
IndyHutch Posted October 10, 2015 Author Posted October 10, 2015 The key to IU winning this game? Defense. Is that really the key, or just one of the factors? :D Quote
HoosierAloha Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Is that really the key, or just one of the factors? :D The most important factor is IU scoring more points than PSU. Class of '66 Old Fart and HoosierReb01 2 Quote
HoosierReb01 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Is that really the key, or just one of the factors? :D I think its the key. Pressure on the QB, a opportunistic secondary, and continue the plus on turnovers. Yes, if you don't take care of/or excel at any of the other factors, they will be the key. My prediction is the D is key! :cheese: The most important factor is IU scoring more points than PSU. Too true, but I'm expecting defensive scoring. Quote
HoosierReb01 Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 I keep hearing about the Btownbanners jet but every time I asked the boss about it he says it has maintenance issues. I'm probably safer driving. I think that generally means that he hasn't restocked the in-flight bar after the last trip. And he's probably doing all the maintenance himself. Quote
Class of '66 Old Fart Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 I keep hearing about the Btownbanners jet but every time I asked the boss about it he says it has maintenance issues. I'm probably safer driving. The only maintenance issue is that you simply can't flap your arms fast enough! :cheese: Quote
JaybobHoosier Posted October 10, 2015 Posted October 10, 2015 Not for this one. :( Jayboob and the Mrs are coming out in November and we're heading to the Maryland game though!!!!!! We are excited!!!!! Hutch, we have to at least meet up for a quick hello. Naturalhoosier 1 Quote
Naturalhoosier Posted October 11, 2015 Posted October 11, 2015 We are excited!!!!! Hutch, we have to at least meet up for a quick hello. Agreed. I'd hate miss out on at least a quick hello and handshake considering we'll be within a few hundred feet of each other! Quote
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