Indiana Hoosiers 2009 College Football Predictions, Picks & Odds: There is a sense that head football coach Bill Lynch, in his third season since replacing Terry Hoeppner, needs to inspire the Hoosiers to show the kind of improvement that Minnesota and Northwestern are making. The Hoosiers ranked 97th nationally in scoring offense last season and 108th in scoring defense. That’s a lethal combination that Lynch must change for Indiana to begin its move out of last place in the Big Ten. Odds makers at Sportsbook.com have the Indiana Hoosiers at 200-1 odds to win the BSC 2010 National Championship.
Ironically, the team’s returning leader in passing and rushing is now a wide receiver. The multi-faceted Kellen Lewis has been moved to wide receiver to help shore up what has been a sore spot for the Hoosiers for quite some time. How well it will actually work remains to be seen. With that move, the starting quarterback job goes to Ben Chappell. Chappell threw for over 1,000 yards last season and, unlike Lewis, Chappell threw more touchdowns than interceptions.
The defense returns eight starters, but they were easily the worst defense in the Big Ten in 2008. Will that experience turn into results? Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton are a capable force on the ends. Kirlew tallied 10.5 sacks last year and Middleton has the potential to be a great pass rusher despite his disappointing 2008 season. With tackle Deonta Mack back to clog the middle, there is no reason for the rush defense to be as bad as they were last year. Sportsbook.com has college football picks on the Indiana Hoosiers to win the Big 10 Conference at a +5000 odds.
Lynch used a scholarship on freshman Mitch Ewald, who was ranked one of the top five placekickers in the country by three recruiting services. Chris Hagerup, a sophomore, nailed 13 of his 61 punts for more than 50 yards.
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