Last Chance for Hoosiers

Ran into a football player the other day.\nNot a kicker or a running back, but one of those really meaty guys who could be mistaken for an ox. When our eyes met, there was no doubt we knew each other.\nBefore, I had laughed at suggestions of a bodyguard for protection from hostile Hoosiers, but at this moment I would not have minded a brawler at my side. If we had been in a dark, deserted, rat-infested alley, I might have ran. Although it was getting late, the Indiana Memorial Union seemed like a safe place, so I stayed.\nBefore his first move, which might have been to tear off my arms and rip out my voice box so I would be left only to type with my nose, I offered to sit and chat.\nHe agreed and to my surprise, he began the questioning. He first asked what I thought my purpose was with my columns.\n"I consider myself the voice of the students," I said. For nearly an hour in the IMU cafeteria, we conversed about our different view points on IU football.\nHe was not there to strong-arm me into writing how glorious IU football is or how I was wrong to write anything bad about Cameron and the defense. This football player believed IU deserved criticism, but he said he thought I could do so in a more credible and professional manner.\nWhen we finished, I was not brainwashed to how Cameron is a godsend or IU football will be Big Ten champions soon, but I did get a better sense of IU football from a player's perspective. \nThe only time he laughed, which he tried to hold back, was when he imagined me meeting one of the enraged players on the streets.\nOverall, we did not share many laughs, but I think we both came away with a better understanding of where each other stands.\nRight now, IU stands on a plank with one foot off and the other on its way, unless the Hoosiers can emerge at Homecoming against Minnesota.\nThe vivid memory of the 58-0 defeat to Michigan last week remains in the players' minds. Not only has the Hoosiers' ability been questioned, but now also their character and pride. \nMany jumped off the IU bandwagon weeks ago, and the few left are holding onto the bumper for their lives. IU needs to win some ballgames soon, but more importantly they need to show some improvement. From week to week and over the last four years, IU has shown very little progress and that is discouraging.\nThe question now is how will the team respond? \nThe defensive breakdown has been that everyone is not on the same page. All eleven players must not only know what they're doing individually, but what everyone else is doing as well. At times, eight, nine or even 10 players have executed a play properly, but then one player makes a mental mistake and Michigan's David Terrell or Northwestern's Damien Anderson travels half the field for a touchdown.\nThe Hoosiers' defense needs to successfully execute and be more consistent to win this weekend. Talent-wise, IU might be a little unequal with some schools, but within these ranks, it all comes down to how one executes and consistency.\nThe defense has taken heat from the coaches as well as the media, but so has junior Antwaan Randle El. Any chances for the Heisman Trophy flew out the window with 'Twaan's 39-yard rushing, 111-yard passing and no touchdown performance last week. Randle El should be as motivated as anyone this weekend to redeem himself.\nA pep talk should not be required to fire them up Saturday. The fact that they were embarrassed last week, this is Homecoming and sharks await their arrival if they fall off the plank should be reason enough for motivation.