IU Will Raise the Victory Flag Against USC If…
Jenna Black
Host · Writer
The Indiana Hoosiers will return to Memorial Stadium on Saturday after a bye week. After narrowly topping Minnesota two weeks ago, the bye week provided the perfect opportunity to regroup before entering the second half of the season. The 7-2 USC Trojans will arrive in Bloomington on Saturday, marking the fifth all-time matchup between the two programs, first since 1982, and the first time the two programs have met since USC joined the Big Ten in 2024. The Hoosiers will be looking to prove themselves and solidify their name in playoff discussions, and beating USC is a great way to start. Indiana will raise the victory flag if…
Filling Turbo Richard’s Shoes
The ground game has been essential to propelling this Indiana offense forward, and Turbo Richard has been a significant part of those statistics. However, Richard has been ruled out ahead of the matchup on Saturday, which means that Lee Beebe Jr. will have to take on much of the load. The good news is that Hoosier fans have seen firsthand Beebe’s ability to execute when things don’t go as planned.
In late September, against Northwestern, Richard went down with a leg injury, and Beebe went on to rush for 203 yards and score a game-sealing touchdown in the fourth quarter. Saturday will mark a great opportunity for Beebe to take on even more responsibility and handle the bulk of the snaps. The Trojans’ defense is ranked 40th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game, with 124.8, and the Hoosiers average 186.2 rushing yards per game on offense. These stats may look different with a slightly modified backfield; however, Beebe is fully capable of controlling the offense on the ground, and his success will be instrumental to finding offensive rhythm.
Attacking USC’s Secondary
Saturday gives Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover an ideal opportunity to regain his rhythm. Since his game against Rutgers, Hoover’s passer rating has decreased significantly. Against Minnesota, he completed 8 of 19 passes for 119 yards, a 42.1% completion rate, before exiting at halftime; however, Saturday’s matchup against USC could give him an ideal stage to bounce back.
USC’s pass defense has improved under defensive coordinator Gary Patterson; however, the Trojans still allow 221.2 passing yards per game and 7.9 per attempt. They have also only intercepted three passes all season. It presents the perfect opportunity for Hoover to settle into an offensive rhythm and push the ball downfield. Averaging 9.0 yards per attempt with just two interceptions on the season, he is well-positioned to test USC’s secondary. By targeting receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, Indiana will challenge USC’s secondary and stretch the field. This Indiana offense thrives off of big chunk plays, and when an opponent struggles to defend against them, it plays right into the Hoosiers’ hands.
