2007 Indiana Hoosiers College Football Predictions & Picks


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The Indiana Hoosiers have a lot to look forward to heading into the 2007 season. They return 17 starters and a few big time playmakers that every school from around the country would love to have. The Hoosiers are loaded with outstanding skill-position players, starting with a quarterback who Florida, North Carolina and Maryland wanted as a defensive back.

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Sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis reminds some of former Indiana quarterback Antwaan Randle El. He has been a great find for the Hoosiers after starting nine games last season and throwing for 2,221 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 441 yards. He has perhaps the best target in the Big Ten as wide receiver. James Hardy, second-team All-Big Ten last year, is big, fast and has great hands. Hardy has caught 112 balls in two seasons for 1,615 yards and an outstanding 20 scores. Opposing defenses will be sick when Indiana gets in the red zone because Hardy is nearly unstoppable in getting jump balls.

Marcus Thigpen is a sprinter on Indiana’s track team with speed to burn. Now it will be up to the offensive line to make holes for Thigpen and protect Lewis. On the two-deep roster on the offensive line, Indian features two sophomores and four redshirt freshman. A couple of these guys will have to grow up in a hurry. Tackle Rodger Saffold and guard Pete Saxon were starter in the second half of last season as true freshman. They will be the key to this offense gelling in 2007.

Indiana ranked 109th in total defense giving up 402.3 yards per game last season. If the Hoosiers are to make a bowl game this season, the defense will have to show significant improvement as a whole. Indiana has two outstanding senior corners to help the pass defense in second-team All Big Ten Tracy Porter and Leslie Majors. Sophomore wide receiver Nick Polk was moved from wide receiver to safety to shore up the secondary. Polk could see double duty as a tremendous athlete on offense and defense.

Ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton anchor the front seven. Tackle Greg Brown returns and two of three starting linebackers are back in Adam McClurg and Geno Johnson. Will Patterson will be stepping in as a sophomore as the other backer. Patterson had an outstanding true freshman season in 2006, playing in all12 games and starting five times. He finished with 41 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and three pass breakups. He should be even better in 2007.

Marcus Thigpen is one of the finest kick returners in the country with his 30.1 return average. Tracy Porter is a dangerous punt returner as well with his 18.6 yard average. The Hoosiers will do some damage on special teams due to these playmakers. The Hoosiers’ non-conference schedule is expected to yield four wins which should bolster their hopes of a bowl game tremendously. Expectations and excitement are on the rise thanks to quarterback Kellen Lewis and a potent offense. Indiana could make some noise in the Big Ten conference despite most experts picking the Hoosiers to finish in dead last place.

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