Iowa can move to 9-0 by wearing the Hoosiers down and pulling away in the fourth quarter, as recent history has shown.
By Charlie Green | [email protected]

Indiana’s offense is no joke. This season, the Hoosiers average nearly 300 yards passing and more than 180 rushing yards per game.

Defensively, they might be the worst in the Big Ten.

Both sides of the ball have been guilty of contributing to an implosions, particularly in the fourth quarter of games over the past month or so.

Given the way Iowa has controlled time of possession, it figures to try to wear Indiana down.

“I think every week, that’s the objective,” left guard Sean Welsh said. “We want to come get on top of them right away, but of course, we want to be there for the full 60 and play the entire game.”

Iowa’s success on the ground and consistent defense has set the team up nicely for a war of attrition, which could work against the Hoosiers if the Hawkeyes can slow Indiana’s explosive offense.

It’s been a tale of two different teams for Iowa and Indiana this season. After winning its first four games, the Hoosiers have dropped their last four — scoring a ton of points but not playing strong defense and struggling late in games.

Since the start of their Big Ten schedule, the Hoosiers are giving up an average of 17.5 points in the fourth quarter alone. That’s around 2 more points than Iowa surrenders per game.

It’s something that has crippled a talented Indiana team. On Oct. 3, it led No. 3 Ohio State much of the game before the Buckeyes pulled away late, winning 34-27.

On Oct. 17 against Rutgers, the team took a 52-33 lead into the final stanza before giving up 22 unanswered and falling, 55-52. The following week against No. 7 Michigan State, it trailed the Spartans by just 2 at the end of the third; 15 minutes later, they lost by 26.

Turnovers have been a part of the meltdown tendency of the Hoosiers, but the defense also gives up a Big Ten worst 500-plus yards per game. On the ground, they’re giving up more than 160.

For an Iowa team that averages better than 200 rushing yards, it could be poised for another vintage performance of out-muscling its opponent.

“I think it’s the goal to wear down any opponent in the fourth quarter,” center Austin Blythe said. “I think that’s the style of football we want to play. I think we’ve done a good job on that so far, and we need to continue to improve on that Saturday.”

The bevy of running backs at their disposal has been one way the Hawks have implemented the strategy so far. But perhaps more importantly has been the play of the interior line.

Welsh, Blythe, and right guard Jordan Walsh are not only the most experienced players on an offensive line that’s been tested by injuries, they’re also at the forefront of a physical running game that thrives between the tackles and has seen the insiders also pull to become lead blockers on the outside.

Physicality with the tight ends, fullbacks, and even receivers could add the final touches on Iowa’s ground game against Indiana. By the end of the bout, the Hawks hope to get runners to the second level and break the game open.

“You want to be able to wear them out and then beat them in the fourth quarter,” left tackle Boone Myers said. “And yeah, that’s what we’re going to try to do this week.

“That’s what we try to do every week.”

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