#1 This year we've got coach Hep
It can't be reiterated enough: Hep helps win games. There is something different in the air. The IU campus has caught a crazy case of coach Hep, and students are loving it. The difference between this year and the previous 10 years is people believe the Hoosiers can win every game, even the one against Ohio State this weekend. What the coaches think, the players echo, and how the players play reverberates through the student body. In his press conference Tuesday, coach Hep was asked whether he was a program builder or a gameday coach. Hep replied that a coach cannot not be one without possessing the qualities of the other. Hep's already proving that he can be a program builder. Come Saturday, against the toughest opponent yet, we'll find out how good of a gameday coach he can be.
#2 IU will win the turnover battle
Big wins require big plays, and in IU's biggest game of the season, it's going to take plenty of them from both sides of the ball. The Buckeyes have fumbled the ball 21 times in the past six games, losing possession 10 times. Meanwhile, the IU defense has forced 11 fumbles and recovered seven of them. John Pannozzo, Kyle Killion and Will Meyers are the keys with four combined forced fumbles. A timely interception or a lucky bounce of a loose ball could provide the Hoosiers with enough momentum to knock off the Buckeyes.
#3 James Hardy will make big plays
James Hardy is a stud. He is third in the nation in receiving with 744 yards. And he is tied for fifth with eight touchdown catches. He is eighth in the nation with 46 receptions and a season-long 83-yard touchdown catch that came against Wisconsin. \nWhile he has snuck under the radar as one of the country's best wide receivers, do not think he is invisible in the eyes of Ohio State coach Jim Tressel. But Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was well aware of Hardy last week, double covering him nearly all game -- a game in which Hardy proceeded to rack up 203 yards.\nOSU will be prepared for the harassment of Hardy, so look for them to use their blitzing powers to attack IU's own Powers -- Blake, that is. But the blitz could make or break the IU offense. If the line gives Powers enough time exploit the man coverage, Saturday could be the day America is introduced to James Hardy.
#4 Lance Bennett's game will return
Where did you go, Lance Bennett? The record-producing return man finished last season ranked third in the nation in returning kicks and punts. Since then, the producer of Will Smith's song "Nod Ya Head" has been constantly shaking his own. Without any disrespect to now-punt returner Troy Grosfield, Bennett needs to have more touches on special teams. Field position and momentum are two keys to an upset, and Bennett has the ability to aid IU in both. You can nod ya head to that.
#5 It's our time
Why not? Why shouldn't this be the year that IU sends Ohio State (and its "Rock"-crashing fans) home with a loss? The last time IU beat the Buckeyes was in 1988. The saddest part about that is this year's freshman class was in diapers during that game. So why not now? Sure it's been years since IU's last major upset, but it's been also been years since this much excitement has surrounded IU football. Coach Hep has been saying that "fans help win games," and Saturday's match up is already sold out. Hoeppner's generated the buzz -- Hardy, Bennett and the defense can be the ones to back it up. Why will IU's streak of 12 straight losses to Ohio State end this year? Why not?
