We are just days away from the start of the 2023 IU football campaign.
What is reasonable to expect of the Hoosiers this year? Who will be the stars of the team? Is head coach Tom Allen’s job in any jeopardy if things don’t go well?
We asked what we believe are some of the top questions on the minds of the fans as Indiana gets sets to kick off season No. 136.
Here are the results:
PROJECTED WIN TOTAL
As is the case almost every year, IU has one of the most difficult schedules in the country. There’s a path to six wins and bowl eligibility, but that will require an impressive run of six wins in nine games against teams not named Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State — or a major upset or two. Only 18.9 percent of 609 fans think the Hoosiers can get to six wins in 2023:
Your take — IU football win total for 2023:#iufb
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 7, 2023
WHO IS QB1?
Who is going to take the field on Indiana’s first series on offense? Tayven Jackson or Brendan Sorsby?
There is likely some bias in the results here, as Jackson has much greater name identification as the younger brother of Trayce Jackson-Davis. Some fans no doubt believe Jackson’s greater recruiting rankings will be a factor.
The wildcard here is that there is no starting quarterback just yet, and both Jackson and Sorsby will get playing time in week one. Nearly as many fans believe that scenario will unfold as do the portion that picked Sorsby.
Let's do another poll. Your take – Who wins the starting QB job for week 1 vs. OSU:#iufb
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 8, 2023
RUSHING YARDS LEADER
While the coaching staff is hiding their plans for quarterback, and even kicker, they’ve been unequivocal when it comes to Jaylin Lucas. He’s going to be on the field and getting the ball a ton.
But will the diminutive sophomore lead IU in rushing yards, or will it be a one of their veterans like Josh Henderson or Christian Turner? The fans like Henderson, who had 398 yards last season and a 4.4 average per carry. We were surprised more didn’t pick Turner, who went for 516 yards last year at Wake Forest.
Let's keep it going. I plan to publish the results of these. Perhaps some of your comments.
Your take – Who will lead #iufb in rushing yards in 2023?
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 9, 2023
RECEIVING YARDS LEADER
We didn’t expect a landslide in this one, but we got one. Perhaps name identification won the day for Cam Camper. He was on pace for something like 70 catches and 900 yards before suffering an injury in week eight last season.
But Camper will enter week one 10 months removed from a torn ACL, and he could be on an early season pitch count. He also has several talented teammates he’s competing with this fall. This should be much closer than the results suggest.
This one could be interesting. Who do you think will lead IU in receiving yards in 2023?
If you think it will be someone other than these four, put it in the comments. #iufb
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 13, 2023
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER
IU has a bit of a no-name defense going into the 2023 campaign. With so many well known veterans now departed, and a wave of new talent via the transfer portal, many fans have yet to connect with the top defenders. But one name they do know is transfer edge rusher Andre Carter, and IU fans think he’s the most likely player on that side of the ball to earn All-Big Ten honors in 2023.
Let's turn to the defense now. Which player do you believe is most likely to earn All Big Ten honors in 2023?
If you think it will be someone not listed, add a comment. #iufb
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 16, 2023
TROPHY GAMES
Indiana has the Old Brass Spittoon in their possession after a surprising win over Michigan State in East Lansing last year. But they gave away the Old Oaken Bucket to Purdue in 2021.
IU will face the Spartans and Boilermakers in what could be a critical three-game stretch of winnable but challenging games to close the season. Nearly two-thirds of the fan base believe IU will have at least one of the trophies in their possession following the 2023 season, and more than half think IU will defeat Purdue in West Lafayette.
Continuing our preseason polling of the #iufb fan base. Which trophies will reside in Bloomington in December?
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 21, 2023
COULD TOM ALLEN LOSE HIS JOB?
He was the darling of college football after going 14-7 in 2019-20. But IU is just 6-18 since, and many fans are understandably frustrated.
So how bad would things have to get for Tom Allen to lose his job following the 2023 season?
Nearly 80 percent of fans believe a three win season would make Allen’s seat hot.
Okay, final preseason #iufb poll. A lot of national media types have said Tom Allen is on the hot seat. That sounds like an uninformed take, but is there a win total where you'd agree?
— Mike Schumann @ The Daily Hoosier (@daily_hoosier) August 24, 2023
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- Find us on Facebook: thedailyhoosier
- You can follow us on Twitter: @daily_hoosier
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
