Herbstreit on IU football: 'Not able to match defensively'

ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit gave his thoughts on Big Ten football for the upcoming season -- specifically about Kentucky, Louisville and Indiana -- during a Louisville luncheon benefit on Tuesday.

According to the Courier Journal, here's what he had to say about IU, a team that went 1-7 in conference play in 2014, last in the Big Ten East:

"Their problem is they're just not able to match defensively," Herbstriet said. "I know that's been a big focus for them. I think they feel like they're going to be better. The depth of the Big Ten isn't what you face in the SEC, so I think for (coach) Kevin Wilson this is another big year. "... For some of these teams who are trying to go in a good direction, if you go to a bowl game with a 7-5 or 6-6 record in a power conference you have no idea what that can do for momentum headed into the next season."

The Hoosiers open the 2015 season at home on Sept. 5 against Southern Illinois.