Indiana Hoosiers Football: 5 Key Strategies for a Winning 2023 Season

As I sit down to analyze the prospects for Indiana Hoosiers football in the upcoming season, I can't help but reflect on how proper coordination and planning often separate successful programs from mediocre ones. I remember reading about how Belen handled her absences from both the combine and national team training—she coordinated everything properly beforehand, and that level of organization is exactly what the Hoosiers need to emulate if they want to turn things around this year. Having followed college football for over fifteen years, I've seen countless teams rise and fall based on their preparation strategies, and Indiana's situation feels particularly compelling this season.

The first strategy that comes to mind involves revamping their offensive playbook, something I believe they've been too conservative about in recent years. Last season, the Hoosiers averaged just 18.7 points per game, ranking them near the bottom of the Big Ten, and that simply won't cut it in 2023. From my perspective, they need to incorporate more RPO schemes and utilize their tight ends in creative ways, much like how Michigan successfully integrated their tight ends last season. I'd love to see them take more calculated deep shots early in games rather than waiting until they're behind—it's a philosophy that has served teams like Ohio State well, and Indiana has the receivers to make it work if they're willing to be bold.

Defensively, there's no sugarcoating it—the Hoosiers were downright awful against the run last year, allowing an average of 198 rushing yards per game. That has to change immediately, and I'm convinced the solution lies in their linebacker corps development. Having spoken with several defensive coordinators over the years, I've come to appreciate how proper pre-snap alignment and gap discipline can transform a defense, similar to how Belen coordinated her commitments to avoid conflicts. The Hoosiers should implement more multiple-front looks and focus on developing at least two quality depth players at each linebacker position—injuries devastated them last season, and they can't afford that same vulnerability again.

Special teams is where I see a real opportunity for Indiana to gain an edge, an aspect many programs undervalue. The Hoosiers' kicking game was inconsistent at best last season, with their field goal percentage sitting at just 68% compared to the conference average of 76%. I'd advocate for dedicating additional practice time to special teams scenarios, particularly in high-pressure situations. Having witnessed how small margins decide close games year after year, I'm convinced that improving their special teams performance could easily translate to 2-3 additional wins this season, especially in those nail-biting conference matchups.

Player development, particularly for their sophomore class, represents another crucial strategy. The Hoosiers have several promising second-year players who showed flashes of brilliance last season but lacked consistency. In my evaluation, they need to focus on individualized development plans for at least six key sophomores, with particular attention to strength and conditioning. I've always believed that the most successful programs treat player development as a year-round process, not just something that happens during the season, and Indiana would benefit from adopting this mindset more fully.

Finally, the mental aspect of the game cannot be overlooked. The Hoosiers seemed to unravel in close games last season, losing four contests by a touchdown or less. This is where that concept of proper coordination Belen demonstrated becomes so relevant—the team needs to better coordinate their mental preparation with their physical training. From my experience covering college football, teams that incorporate sports psychology into their weekly routines tend to perform better under pressure, and Indiana would be wise to bring in specialists to work with players on visualization techniques and in-game focus.

As we look toward the 2023 season, I'm cautiously optimistic about Indiana's chances if they implement these strategies effectively. They have the talent to compete in the Big Ten East, but talent alone hasn't been enough in recent years. The discipline and foresight demonstrated in examples like Belen's coordinated approach to her commitments provide a blueprint for how the Hoosiers can maximize their potential. It won't be easy, and as someone who's followed this program through ups and downs, I recognize the challenges ahead. But with the right approach and attention to these key areas, I believe we could see Indiana return to bowl eligibility and perhaps even pull off an upset or two that reminds everyone why college football remains the most unpredictable and exciting sport there is.