The University of Indiana has long been known for its basketball legacy and the football team has done nothing to alter that perception. Indiana has had only one winning season (7-6 in 2007) since the start of the century. 

Last season, Indiana was the only BCS team to not defeat an FBS opponent. The lone victory for the Hoosiers was against South Carolina State on Sept 17. 

The team is in the bottom half of the Big Ten in all offensive statistics except passing offense (due to large deficits in each game, forcing Indiana to throw aggressively). Indiana is also the worst team in the Big Ten in total defense. 

Indiana has a long rebuilding project ahead of it. The other teams in the Big Ten will continue to pound the Hoosiers in 2012 and bettors will be able to take advantage of generous Big Ten college football betting lines.

Coaching

Head Coach Kevin Wilson finished 1-11 in his first season of a seven-year deal. Wilson will attempt a massive rebuilding project and has already begun by bringing in a lot of junior college transfers to compete with the current roster.

Along with Wilson, the Hoosiers have co-defensive coordinators that came with him and shared in the disappointing season. In January 2012, Indiana hired Seth Littrell as offensive coordinator. 

All of these coaches understand the task in front of them and will assuredly try to motivate these players out of mediocrity. For the 2012 season, expect more disappointment on the football field and the motivational speeches to occur only in the locker room and practice field.

Offense

The Hoosiers started freshman quarterback Tre Roberson last season and his athleticism provided a few highlights throughout the season, but Indiana has brought in two new quarterbacks to compete with Roberson that have more traditional arms for the position. 

The running game at Indiana did not succeed last season, but they do have a legitimate Big Ten running back in junior Stephen Houston. Houston has good size at 6-foot-0, 228 pounds, and he ran for 5.31 yards per attempt last season and fumbled only once on the year. 

The offensive line has only two starters returning. Both tackle positions will have new starters, and these young men will have to learn on the job to try and protect the young quarterbacks and block for the one offensive weapon (Houston) that Indiana appears to have.

The entire offense projects to have only one senior starter, center Will Matte. The young offense will be forced to learn together on the field.

Defense

The Hoosiers defense did not have any more success than the offense last season. They ranked last in the Big Ten in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense.  One could argue the only reason they weren’t last in passing defense is because their opponents had no need to throw the ball.

Two defensive tackles return as senior starters on the defensive line. However, with the awful showing last season, those seniors may lose their jobs to underclassmen or junior college transfers.

Numerous JUCO transfers have been brought in to compete for starting jobs. The defense will be in transition all season as the co-defensive coordinators and the new players try to get on the same page. 

2012 Indiana Hoosiers Big Ten Conference  Futures Odds

Bovada Sportsbook has Indiana at 65/1 odds to win the Big Ten. This should not come into play this season.

2012 Indiana Hoosiers Football Schedule Analysis

Indiana will be the underdog in every conference game this season and may be in their nonconference schedule as well. If UMass and Ball State are underdogs, I would take the points on those games. Even the in-state rival Sycamores of Indiana State should make the contest close and I would be willing to wager the money line on the Sycamores for maximum profit as well as a more standard wager to take the points.

There aren’t many times that the spread in conference games are three touchdowns or more, but with Indiana’s poor defense and lack of passing offense or protection, that may occur a few times this season.

Opponents with dominant running games should be able to cover 21 points against this Indiana team and bettors should look to lay the points in the Michigan State, Ohio State and Navy games. 

2012 Indiana Hoosiers Football Predictions

Indiana will not warrant many plays in their favor this season as the team has only one sure-fire starter all season with running back Houston. A new quarterback could emerge at some point this season and bettors should take advantage of that inexperience. 

For the 2012 season, the Hoosiers will be continuing their rebuilding effort. While they may be competitive in certain games, opponents with dominant lines and running games should be able to cover any Big Ten spread the oddsmakers post for the game. Unfortunately for Hoosiers fans, there won’t be many college football lines their team will be able to cover this season.

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