Analysis: Once again, it's all about the QB position for the Hoosiers

[IndyHutch 1,718]

Nate Sudfeld didn't play in Saturday's 29-7 loss at Penn State. Zander Diamont suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter and didn't return and Danny Cameron played the final quarter and a half. But the reality is for IU to be a legitimate bowl team this season, Sudfeld has to get healthy and lead this offense.

Once again, Indiana football is six games into the season and the focus is on the quarterback position.

 

Indiana fans can only hope this year works out a lot better than one transpired a season ago.

 

Last year, in the sixth game at Iowa, Nate Sudfeld injured his non-throwing shoulder and was lost for the season. IU eventually went with Zander Diamont for the final six games and the Hoosiers went 1-5 to end the year.

 

Saturday, it was Diamont, making his first start of the year in place of the injured Sudfeld, who went down with a third quarter shoulder injury and didn’t return. Danny Cameron ran the offense for the final quarter and a half and Indiana came out on the losing end of a 29-7 decision at Penn State.

 

But as IU prepares for a critical Homecoming matchup next Saturday at Memorial Stadium against Rutgers, all eyes will be on the quarterback position and what the Hoosiers will be able to do.

 

If Sudfeld can play, and has reasonable mobility on his ankle, Indiana has a good chance to win and improve to 5-2 which would put the Hoosiers within one game of bowl eligibility with five games to play. But if it’s not Sudfeld, then the Hoosiers could be in jeopardy of dropping a third consecutive Big Ten game to open the 2015 conference season.

 

Following the game Saturday, Kevin Wilson was asked what went into his final decision not to play Sudfeld or starting tailback Jordan Howard.

 

“I waited to see how much they could do,’’ Wilson said. “Nate practiced (Friday) a little bit more. Jordan didn’t do as much. Nate could have played. He just wasn’t very mobile. I don’t know how many plays he could have extended and been able to protect himself. It’s kind of the way it was last week at the end of the game. He could have played. Personally I didn’t feel good with it. He was available today but he was limited and we didn’t want to put him in harm’s way.’’

 

As for Diamont, Wilson said it was too early to tell but he didn’t think the sophomore quarterback’s injury was a serious one.
“Zander’s thing I don’t think is that bad,’’ Wilson said. “I don’t think it’s anything major.’’

 

And so that’s where Indiana football sits at the halfway point of the Big Ten season.

 

The bottom line is that for Indiana to not only have a shot to become bowl eligible but to then have a chance to win a postseason game, the Hoosiers need a healthy Sudfeld and Howard. Sure, Wilson could have played Sudfeld on Saturday but he had he further aggravated his injury then the Hoosiers could have been basically throwing away the season. Give him another week of rest and see how it heals up and hopefully the senior QB will be ready to go against Rutgers.

 

But I just think it’s asking too much of the other guys at that position to think that you can win Big Ten football games.

 

Diamont does some good things but he never looks comfortable out there, he’s not an accurate throwing quarterback and he takes a few too many chances running the ball which ultimately can get him in trouble. The fact that he was 1-5 as a starter last year tells the story pretty accurately. I think he’s better than he was a year ago but there certainly isn’t anyone thinking there’s a quarterback controversy in Bloomington if both Sudfeld and Diamont were healthy at the same time.

 

Myself, I think Indiana has a better chance to win with Cameron. He looks more poised in the pocket an I’d like to see what he could do if he had a full week of No. 1 reps to prepare to start against an opponent. Well, I say that and actually I’d rather that wasn’t the scenario. I would prefer Sudfeld getting all the reps and playing Saturday against Rutgers.

 

Ultimately, that’s where it will all be decided. If Sudfeld can get back to being able to play consistently and lead the offense then Indiana should still be able to win six or seven games and get bowl eligible this season.

 

But if he doesn’t, I just think it’s going to be a long haul for the final six games for Indiana.

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[HoosierReb01 7,511]

Agree on Cameron as QB over Diamont. Love Zander but Danny looked more poised, and probably a better arm. Here's to hoping Nate is ready to go Saturday though.

[Alford Bailey 12,384]

If Suds coulda went today I expect with another weeks rest he will be close to 100% next week.

[Miller'sTheMan 1,652]

Redding also isn't a go to back right now, his vision simply isn't good. Unfortunately I don't know how much that can be improved, we really miss Howard though not near to the degree of Sudfeld. 

[Crimson and Cream 5,810]

I'd go Cameron over Zander any day. I know CKW said he didn't believe Zander's injury was serious, but a shoulder injury and concussion seems bad to me. If they were to shut him down for the season, is he still eligible to be redshirted? As Alford said above, I would imagine Sud will be good to go next week if he was that close this week. Even though I consider Howard the best player on this team, I would argue Sud is the most important. Even if it's just him back, I would be confident we would win next week.

[HoosierReb01 7,511]

I'd go Cameron over Zander any day. I know CKW said he didn't believe Zander's injury was serious, but a shoulder injury and concussion seems bad to me. If they were to shut him down for the season, is he still eligible to be redshirted? As Alford said above, I would imagine Sud will be good to go next week if he was that close this week. Even though I consider Howard the best player on this team, I would argue Sud is the most important. Even if it's just him back, I would be confident we would win next week.

I really am not sure of the ins and outs, but I'm pretty sure the redshirt is just gone. 

[The Ola Depot 1,213]

I really am not sure of the ins and outs, but I'm pretty sure the redshirt is just gone.

I think he may have meant if they just say Zander is out for the year they could get a medical redshirt

[akhosrof 1,168]

I'm worried about the QB situation for next year with Suds gone. I hope we are in the market for a top JUCO or fifth year transfer to at least create some competition. Otherwise, that's a lot of pressure to put on Diamont and King.

[lucel15 3,052]

I'm worried about the QB situation for next year with Suds gone. I hope we are in the market for a top JUCO or fifth year transfer to at least create some competition. Otherwise, that's a lot of pressure to put on Diamont and King.

Kyle kempt. Enough said next statement or question

[Hovadipo 56,136]

Kyle kempt. Enough said next statement or question

Care to expand?

[Dalton26 16,892]

Kyle kempt. Enough said next statement or question

Who?

[lucel15 3,052]

Care to expand?

Oregon State QB at Hutchinson juco. Three schools are still looking at him. IU is one of them. He is 6'4 220. Heck of an arm

[lucel15 3,052]

Who?

Oregon State QB at Hutchinson juco. Three schools are still looking at him. IU is one of them. He is 6'4 220. Heck of an arm

[lucel15 3,052]

Community college I should say

[Dalton26 16,892]

Oregon State QB at Hutchinson juco. Three schools are still looking at him. IU is one of them. He is 6'4 220. Heck of an arm

I just looked him up after I posted that. Looks like he could be a good option to come in right away next season.

[lucel15 3,052]

I just looked him up after I posted that. Looks like he could be a good option to come in right away next season.

Not going to lie I like Cameron tho

[IndyHutch 1,718]

I really am not sure of the ins and outs, but I'm pretty sure the redshirt is just gone. 

 

We were talking about that after Wilson's press conference yesterday at Penn State. Some seem to think that he is still eligible to be redshirted because he has only played two games. I thought it was the number of games the team had played. For example, when Covington played yesterday for the first time Wilson said later that burned his redshirt year but that was the first time he had played.

[IndyHutch 1,718]

Not going to lie I like Cameron tho

 

I think Cameron needs some seasoning and he needs to get some No. 1 reps, but I agree I think he could be a good No. 2 for this year if nothing else. 

[lucel15 3,052]

I think Cameron needs some seasoning and he needs to get some No. 1 reps, but I agree I think he could be a good No. 2 for this year if nothing else.

For sure hutch. Def needs some seasoning. He has a rocket though for an arm and 3rd string. I remember researching him during recruiting and all that.... People said he had an arm just needed to develop more.