Each week, I’ll grade the Hoosiers on their performance as it relates to the “Keys to Victory” outlined prior to the game in the weekly game preview.

Woof. Just woof.

1. Get the Passing Game Going

Well if you’re looking for bright spots, it’d be this: the sub-par passing offense we saw against Indiana State appears to have been an aberration. Sudfeld finished the road game with a QBR of 80.2 (it was a paltry 29.1 in week one) compiling 347 yards without an interception. Wynn showed up as well with 10 receptions for 139 yards after tallying only 8 yards in week one.

Grade: A

2. Exploit the Inexperience

A new QB making his first start against an FBS opponent. A freshman WR playing against his first Power Five opponent. A whole team playing just their third game in a completely new offensive system. All three of these areas were thought to be weaknesses ahead of this week’s game. Wrong. Wrong. Very, very wrong.

Sep 13, 2014; Bowling Green, OH, USA; Bowling Green Falcons quarterback James Knapke (3) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. Bowling Green defeated Indiana 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

All the Indiana defense did was allow the newbie QB to break the Bowling Green record for completions and pass attempts in a single game. Newbie WR Roger Lewis somehow seemed to be left open all day long all the way up to the final drive when IU allowed the true freshman to reel in four catches and the game-winning TD. Lewis finished with 149 yards and 16 receptions. That’s more than FCS doormat VMI allowed. As for the new high-tempo spread offense? The Falcons ran it better in their third game than the Hoosiers did in their fourth year.

Grade: F-

3. Bring the Backs Back Down to Earth

Actually, not awful here. Bowling Green’s tandem of Travis Greene and Fred Coppet averaged just 3.55 yards per carry. The Hoosiers are still ranked in the top 30 nationally in rushing defense and, while they didn’t totally shut down the run, this was not the problem Saturday.

Grade: B-

4. Don’t Underestimate Special Teams

Erich Toth had a 10 yard punt. He’s literally the worst punter in college football. Dead last in the country. All the way bad.

Aaron Del Grosso missed another short field goal that would have been a difference maker as the Hoosiers lost by three. He’s literally the worst field goal kicker in college football. Dead last in the country. All the way bad.

The kickoff team let the Falcons return the opening kickoff 41 yards, showing the Falcon fans and players from the get-go that their MAC team was going to have a shot against Indiana.

Indiana did recover a huge onside kick that should have been the turning point in the game, and they blocked an extra point. However, neither of those positives ended up impacting the final result.

Grade: D-

5. Who’s Got the Biggest Chip on their Shoulder?

The Hoosiers, apparently, have no chip on their shoulder. They didn’t look angry. They didn’t look like they were trying to make a statement. They just looked…blah. While Bowling Green’s energy was tangible from the get-go, the Hoosiers looked like a team that was simply scared to death of losing. In each of Indiana’s first two games, the Hoosiers have looked completely flat and lifeless. It’s not a quantifiable statistic, but it’s an important and troubling trend. It appears the players understand how important it is that they make a bowl this year, and the pressure is crushing them.

Grade: F

Season’s not over, and if you’ve been an IU football fan this long, no reason to jump ship now. But woof. Just woof.