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Indiana Hoosiers: Big Ten East preview
Indiana is coming off its best season, finishing second in the Big Ten East division in 2020. The Hoosiers ranked inside the top ten for the first time since 1969. Tom Allen has changed the look of the Indiana program and is on a mission to build a winning outfit.
Here's a look at the Indiana Hoosiers' strengths and weaknesses heading into the 2021-2022 season.
2021-2022 Big Ten East Conference preview: Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana's strengths: Indiana will head into the season with the best quarterback in the conference and the top secondary. The Hoosiers also have the third-best receiving group in the Big Ten.
Indiana's weaknesses: Indiana's talent is its big strength but, unfortunately, it ranks 14th in the Big Ten when it comes to their offensive line and 11th in the Big Ten for defensive line play. The Hoosiers' most significant weaknesses are critical pieces to success in the conference.
Indiana Hoosiers key players: Offense
QB: Michael Penix Jr. - Indiana will be led by talented QB Michael Penix Jr. The Hoosiers signal-caller is coming off a great 2020 season where he threw for 1,645 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
Penix Jr. threw for 491 passing yards and five touchdowns against the Ohio State Buckeyes last season.
WR: Ty Fryfogle - Michael Penix Jr. will have a big boost at wide receiver with Ty Fryfogle returning for the 2021 season. Fryfogle is coming off a season where he caught 37 receptions, 721 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The Hoosiers are the third-best receiving group in the Big Ten, and Ty Fryfogle has a lot to do with that ranking.
Indiana Hoosiers key players: Defense
CB: Taiwan Mullen - Football runs deep in Taiwan Mullens' bloodline. His brother and cousin both play in the NFL. Trayvon Mullen is the starting cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders, while his cousin, Lamar Jackson, needs little introduction as a former NFL MVP.
LB: Micah McFadden - The Hoosiers welcome back one of the best off-the-ball blitzing linebackers in college football. McFadden registered 45 solo tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and two interceptions in 2020. His six sacks led the Big Ten in 2020.
2021-2022 Indiana Hoosiers schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4, at Iowa Hawkeyes
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs. Idaho Vandals
Week 3: Saturday, September 18, vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Week 4: Saturday, September 25, at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Week 5: Saturday, October 2, at Penn State Nittany Lions
Week 6: Saturday, October 16, vs. Michigan State Spartans
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at Maryland Terapins
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, at Michigan Wolverines
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs. Minnesota Golden Golphers
Week 12: Saturday, November 27, at Purdue Boilermakers
2021-2022 Indiana Hoosiers Prediction (8-4 overall, 6-3 Big Ten)
The Hoosiers have a great shot at making their first trip to the Big Ten championship game in 2021. Michael Penix Jr. will determine the success of the Hoosiers in 2021. Indiana will lose hard-fought battles against Iowa, Penn State, and Ohio State. They'll also lose a close game against Cincinnati.
