On O:
High efficiency O. Stay on schedule - move the ball systematically. In the process, as many have indicated, use up a lot of clock. It's also important that we score TDs. Indiana is a team that can score in bunches ... so it takes off more pressure from the D if we have more of a buffer.
Thus, to achieve the above, we're looking at working our running game - using play-action occasionally to keep defenders from cheating too much. The play-action is potentially lower percentage ... but we need them to worry about defending the field vertically as well.
Otherwise, we need to exploit the short game ... using WR and RB screens based on what the Indiana D shows us. Otherwise, still using plenty of short passes in order to keep pressure off of Beathard.
On D:
A lot of what we'll do in terms of formation will be similar to what we did against Maryland. Maryland tried to run on us by spreading us out. As a result, we were forced to defend the run with only 5 or 6 in the box. Indiana is going to spread us out horizontally as well. Unfortunately, their RB is really tough ... and, unlike Maryland's passing game, Indiana's passing game is actually a threat. Thus, we're going to have to respect the pass AND respect the run. Thus, we'll be forced to still defend the run with 5 or 6 in the box - my guess is that we'll always keep at least one-high safety ... but the other safety will have to come crashing in if they read run.
Unlike what we did against Maryland, we'll likely play more nickel. We'll probably play more press coverage ... at least with some safety help (one or two high safeties). Phil Parker won't want us getting beat deep.
Going off of scheme - Indiana's O will make it a little harder for us to lean too heavily upon our base D. I'll be curious about how much we'll remain in our base against them.
