Towson
N/A0-0
Indiana
11th Big Ten5-7
Towson @ Indiana preview
Memorial Stadium
The Indiana Hoosiers could use a fast start to the season.
A visit from a Colonial Athletic Association team coming off a 2-9 record would appear to be just what they need.
Indiana hosts Towson in the season opener Thursday night. The Hoosiers, who finished 4-8 last season, aren't expected to be a factor in the Big Ten race, but there are some reasons to think coach Bill Lynch's team will show improvement in 2010.
With games at Western Kentucky and at home against Akron ahead after Towson, the Hoosiers should go into the conference schedule with a 3-0 record. How Indiana - which went 1-7 in the league last season - will fare once they go up against the likes of Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Penn State is something for Lynch and his staff to worry about later.
For now, the Hoosiers' focus is on taking care of business against Towson. The Tigers are no strangers to going on the road and playing a Big Ten opponent to open the season. Towson did that last season, losing 47-14 at Northwestern
.
Quarterback Ben Chappell returns to lead the Hoosiers. He threw for 17 touchdowns as a junior. A fifth-year senior, Chappell has the experience to run the offense and pick apart defenses. He threw for 2,941 yards and completed 62 percent of his passes in 2009.
Sophomore Darius Willis returns as the feature running back. DaMarlo Belcher, Terrance Turner and Tandon Doss top the depth chart at wide receiver.
Defense was Indiana's biggest weakness last season. Lynch is hoping the relatively easy schedule before conference play will give the unit a chance to gain confidence and come together. The Hoosiers are switching to a 3-4 scheme, so it will take some time to adjust to the new formations.
Indiana began last season with a 3-0 record, but dropped eight of its nine, including the final five games. The Hoosiers' only conference win came against Illinois.
Towson, coached by Rob Ambrose, ended last season on a six-game losing streak. The Tigers haven't won since defeating Rhode Island in the fifth game of the season. As is the case with Indiana, defense is the area where the Tigers need to improve. Towson allowed 40 or more points in six games last season.
Senior Bart Blanchard, a transfer from the Citadel, and sophomore Peter Athens, are battling for the quarterback job.
Towson is picked to finish last in the CAA, which features defending FCS national champion Villanova as well as Richmond, William & Mary and New Hampshire.
Playing on the road against a Big Ten team will provide good experience for the Tigers going into a difficult conference schedule.
A visit from a Colonial Athletic Association team coming off a 2-9 record would appear to be just what they need.
Indiana hosts Towson in the season opener Thursday night. The Hoosiers, who finished 4-8 last season, aren't expected to be a factor in the Big Ten race, but there are some reasons to think coach Bill Lynch's team will show improvement in 2010.
With games at Western Kentucky and at home against Akron ahead after Towson, the Hoosiers should go into the conference schedule with a 3-0 record. How Indiana - which went 1-7 in the league last season - will fare once they go up against the likes of Ohio State, Wisconsin, Iowa and Penn State is something for Lynch and his staff to worry about later.
For now, the Hoosiers' focus is on taking care of business against Towson. The Tigers are no strangers to going on the road and playing a Big Ten opponent to open the season. Towson did that last season, losing 47-14 at Northwestern
.
Quarterback Ben Chappell returns to lead the Hoosiers. He threw for 17 touchdowns as a junior. A fifth-year senior, Chappell has the experience to run the offense and pick apart defenses. He threw for 2,941 yards and completed 62 percent of his passes in 2009.
Sophomore Darius Willis returns as the feature running back. DaMarlo Belcher, Terrance Turner and Tandon Doss top the depth chart at wide receiver.
Defense was Indiana's biggest weakness last season. Lynch is hoping the relatively easy schedule before conference play will give the unit a chance to gain confidence and come together. The Hoosiers are switching to a 3-4 scheme, so it will take some time to adjust to the new formations.
Indiana began last season with a 3-0 record, but dropped eight of its nine, including the final five games. The Hoosiers' only conference win came against Illinois.
Towson, coached by Rob Ambrose, ended last season on a six-game losing streak. The Tigers haven't won since defeating Rhode Island in the fifth game of the season. As is the case with Indiana, defense is the area where the Tigers need to improve. Towson allowed 40 or more points in six games last season.
Senior Bart Blanchard, a transfer from the Citadel, and sophomore Peter Athens, are battling for the quarterback job.
Towson is picked to finish last in the CAA, which features defending FCS national champion Villanova as well as Richmond, William & Mary and New Hampshire.
Playing on the road against a Big Ten team will provide good experience for the Tigers going into a difficult conference schedule.