Bottom line is Indiana football needs to score points. Question is, how? Rod Carey’s first challenge awaits

When Indiana football head coach Tom Allen made the change from Walt Bell to Rod Carey at offensive coordinator, massive changes weren’t expected. From Carey’s initial talking points to Allen re-emphasizing it on Monday, Indiana’s offense will still have the same system in place.

The major difference? A push to score more points. Seems like a no-brainer, but that’s the major focus for the Indiana football offense at the current stage.

“There was not getting the production that we need in scoring points,” Allen told reporters on Monday. “That’s the major focus.”

Indiana ranks 12th in the Big Ten in scoring offense at 20.8 points per game. But, the offense has scored just four touchdowns in four games against high-major opponents. If you include the four-overtime win against Akron, there are just five touchdowns in regulation against FBS opponents this season for an average of 11 points produced by the offense per game.

Indiana has also had numerous drives stalled in the red zone due to an inability to convert on fourth downs.

“Basically you’re trying to, now that we know who we are and the things we do, do well, emphasize, continue to grow those and then obviously address the issues, the not being able to finish drives and our red zone efficiency and being able to get those, you know, third and shorts in the score zone, red zone, to finish out those drives and to change the way everything feels when you score a touchdown versus having to settle for a field goal or less,” Allen said. “Just, to me, continuing to build off of that, and I think that to me is a big part of it to be able to maximize.”

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Indiana ranks 14th — last — in the Big Ten in red zone offense. It is 12-of-15 with eight touchdowns on the season. While there have been zero turnovers in that area, Indiana has turned it over on downs on three occasions, the highest rate in the conference.

Part of Indiana’s struggles came from an inability to cause confusion for the defense and a lack of creativity when it came to play calls. It’s something Carey is emphasizing.

“I like misdirection, running, throwing, controlling the ball, and controlling the game. I believe that offenses control games and defenses play really well when an offense can control games. It doesn’t always go that way all the time, that’s just not how it goes,” Carey said. “With Coach Allen, I follow his lead and we have talked a lot about this, from my time being a head coach, if we can control the game – and you obviously have to score points – your defense is going to play great, and you are going to get a lot of opportunities on offense.”

Creativity and additional caused-confusion typically leads to success. It’s a simple thought that typically does work. Part of Carey’s contract is relying on just that. The thought that it can work.

If Indiana averages 24.0 points per game over the course of the remainder of the season, Carey will earn a $50k bonus. Indiana would have, theoretically, won two additional games in the first five weeks if that were the case.

Can Carey get the offense to do it? Who knows. Indiana has scored just 24 points in five games against FBS opponents since the start of the 2021 season.

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If he can, continuity may play a part. But history isn’t on his — or this offense’s side.

“That’s one advantage of having Coach Carey take over is the fact he’s been here with us. He knows our personnel. He’s been here for a couple of years now overall,” Allen said. “Obviously didn’t work with the offense a year ago but really had a chance with some of — knew our guys, the strengths and the things they can do, to be able to match that and just be able to, like I said, the whole goal is we’ve gotta score points, and that’s the objective for our offense and that’s the charge he’s been given, be able to take our current structure and improve it.

“There’s continuity piece. There’s an understanding of the philosophy of what you want to do with that area and the trust factors you mentioned. And just feel like that those are things that we’re looking for, and obviously with the flexibility and the ability to move forward and make some good, positive changes to our offense. So I just feel like we’re aligned in the things we want to align in.”

Carey’s first test isn’t an easy one. It’s actually the hardest debut a coordinator will likely have this season. It’s going against the top defense in the country. Through six weeks, Michigan has given up just four touchdowns and is giving up an average of 6.7 points per game. Opponents are averaging just 4.5 yards per play against the Wolverines.

While the offense will look to improve under Carey, in actuality it’s up to the entire team to play better and, in turn, help the offense.

But, at the end of the day it’s about — yes, I know it’s easy to say and not very thoughtful — scoring points, and certainly more than what Indiana football has done this year.

“I think just an offense that gives you an opportunity to win the game. You can’t win the game without scoring points. So our defense needs to do a really good job of getting off the field on third downs and creating more takeaways and setting up our offense.

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