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Can Tom Allen lead Indiana Football back to a bowl game in 2022?

By Dante Pryor

BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2021/11/20: Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Grant Gremel (16) throws a pass against Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Thomas Rush (8) during an NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. IU lost to Minnesota 35-14. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES - 2021/11/20: Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Grant Gremel (16) throws a pass against Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Thomas Rush (8) during an NCAA football game at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. IU lost to Minnesota 35-14. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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`Oct 16, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Noah Pierre (21) as he catches a pass during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Spartans win 20-15. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
`Oct 16, 2021; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) is tackled by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Noah Pierre (21) as he catches a pass during the second half at Memorial Stadium. Spartans win 20-15. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

2. A bad offense wasted some good defensive performances last season.

The 50 burger Ohio State put on Indiana aside, they were not awful defensively. Many scores were lopsided because the offense could not stay on the field, and the defense was gassed by the fourth quarter. Also, Indiana football rarely flipped field position, often putting the defense in bad situations.

The Hoosiers held Penn State under 30 points but were shut out and held Michigan State 11 points under its season average but could muster 15 points.

The defense did not generate turnovers as it did in 2019 and 2020. That turnover luck forced the Hoosiers to get teams off the field, and they struggled against the better teams in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers finished 43rd overall in defensive third down percentage but had issues against Ohio State and Michigan.

Chad Wilt comes over from Minnesota to run the defense, replacing Charlton Warren, who left for North Carolina. The Hoosiers have to replace the heart and soul of its defense, linebacker Micah McFadden. Not only was he the captain of the defense, but he was also its best player.

The defense should be better this season, especially if the offense can score more points. The secondary gets Tiawan Mullen back from injury to pair with Jaylin Williams. Allen and the Hoosiers are putting a lot of faith in the portal, hoping that JH Tevis (California) and Myles Jackson (UCLA) help the pass rush.

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