Indiana football enters its bye week with plenty of momentum following a thrilling overtime victory over Minnesota, but that doesn't mean Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers don't have some things to figure out. Indiana has continued finding ways to win, even when it hasn't played particularly well, and the upcoming week off provides an opportunity to address several concerns before USC comes to Bloomington. Here are three areas that deserve the most attention.
1. Figure Out The Quarterback Situation
Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Indiana right now is who should be starting at quarterback when the Hoosiers return to action. Josh Hoover has been the guy throughout the season, and he's been quite good, but his recent struggles have opened the door for some legitimate questions about the position.
After a disappointing performance against Michigan, Hoover played just the first half against Minnesota before Grant Wilson took over for the final two quarters and overtime. Wilson helped guide Indiana to a dramatic victory, which only makes the quarterback conversation more interesting.
Does Cignetti stick with the experienced Hoover if he gets a little healthier and hope he rediscovers his early-season form? Or has Wilson done enough to warrant a longer look? The bye week gives Indiana's coaching staff additional time to evaluate both quarterbacks before making that decision.
2. Clean Up Special Teams And Offensive Mistakes
Indiana escaped Minnesota with a victory, but Cignetti wasn't particularly thrilled with the overall performance.
Following the game, he specifically mentioned several uncharacteristic special teams mistakes while acknowledging that the offense struggled to execute for significant stretches.
Those issues need to be addressed before USC comes to town.
Indiana can't continue relying on dramatic late-game heroics to overcome its mistakes. Whether it's special teams execution, offensive consistency or simply avoiding unnecessary errors, the Hoosiers need to become a cleaner football team down the stretch.
3. Get Healthy And Prepare For USC's Explosive Offense
Indiana's defense has been outstanding for much of the season, but USC presents a significant challenge, particularly through the air.
Through nine games, Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava has completed 66.9% of his passes for 2,524 yards, 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions. USC is averaging 294.4 passing yards per game, making its aerial attack a legitimate concern for Indiana's secondary.
Maiava also has several dangerous weapons at his disposal. Wide receiver Trent Mosley leads USC with 512 receiving yards and six touchdowns, while Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has added 443 yards and four scores. Zacharyus Williams has contributed another 344 yards, giving the Trojans multiple options capable of creating explosive plays.
USC also features a productive ground attack led by King Miller, who has rushed for 680 yards and five touchdowns.
Indiana's defense has repeatedly delivered in critical moments, but the Hoosiers will need to be disciplined against a balanced USC offense. The bye week provides an opportunity to get healthy, improve coverage communication and prepare for one of the more dangerous offensive attacks they'll face this season.
Source: Yahoo Sports







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