If you told a Washington Huskies fan in July that the toughest test defensive coordinator Steve Belichick’s group would face in his first year in college football would be the Indiana Hoosiers, they probably would’ve laughed in your face.
However, when the Huskies travel to Bloomington for Saturday’s matchup with Curt Cignetti’s team, that’s exactly what they’ll get.
Even with backup quarterback Taven Jackson at the helm, the Hoosiers are lethal whenever they have the ball. They lead the country in scoring, averaging 48.7 points per game, and rank No. 5 in total offense, picking up 512.7 yards per contest thanks to an excellent balance of running the ball and throwing it that Belichick said he has the utmost respect for on Tuesday.
“They do a really good job with both [passing and running],” he said on Tuesday. “You never know how these offensive game plans are going to go. You think you know what it’s going to be, but you can’t overcommit to something and get burned somewhere else. They do a really good job throwing the ball, running the ball, RPO plays, it’s a great challenge for us.”
The balance Cignetti has installed in his offense might be the greatest challenge, as he’s achieved a lofty goal that Jedd Fisch set for himself this season. The Hoosiers average over 300 passing and 200 rushing yards per game and are one of two teams in the country that have hit that mark this season.
But Washington’s defense could be up to the task. Belichick’s secondary has been lights out all season long, allowing a nation’s best 123 yards per game through the air, but has been susceptible on the ground, letting up an average of 143.3 yards per contest.
Combined, that places the Husky defense at No. 8 in the country at 266.3 yards per game. Belichick has impressed with his game plans and halftime adjustments all season but will have a unique challenge on his hands to get Washington out of Indiana with a victory.
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