Indiana football coach Tom Allen is taking depth chart secrecy to a new level this week ahead of the team’s Week 1 matchup with Ohio State on Saturday.
When meeting with reporters Monday, Allen announced that the team has made a decision on its starting kicker for the game, but wouldn’t reveal it until kick-off Saturday against the Buckeyes. Hiding the choice at quarterback for a slight competitive advantage is one thing, but making Ohio State prepare for multiple kickers (as much as one can prepare for a kicker) is a new one.
The Hoosiers will need all the help they can get against the heavily-favored Buckeyes, but it’s hard to imagine the kicker decision swinging things in Indiana’s direction.
Coach Tom Allen said that Indiana has a starting kicker, but that they won't reveal that publicly. #IUFB
— Daniel Olinger (@dan_olinger) August 28, 2023
Fans had plenty of fun at Allen’s expense for the move.
indiana football treating all this stuff like a secret so their opponent doesn't know what's coming is much funnier when you remember they start their season against ohio state https://t.co/uBVxDVOf1C
— Bill DiFilippo (@billdifilippo) August 28, 2023
OSU is shaking in their boots not knowing who indianas starting kicker is. Indiana by 21 now. 😂😂😂 https://t.co/QgKqdKhnWZ
— Royce Lewis Stan Account (@lee_chris04) August 28, 2023
Gotta keep Ohio State guessing. https://t.co/RNxf2eVDwK
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) August 28, 2023
This is what will break OSU mark my words https://t.co/2vlipohSEb
— Matt (in enemy territory 🦁) (@mdlukens101) August 28, 2023
This is the funniest thing a football coach has ever said. https://t.co/QFOHcnW44C
— Pete Nonos 🚂⬆️🐻⬇️ (@pnonos) August 28, 2023
I missed you, college football. https://t.co/eYvVn5orsG
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) August 28, 2023
Good luck preparing now, Buckeyes.
— Jordan Strack (@JordanStrack) August 28, 2023
Tom Allen is playing chess. https://t.co/qgE8M4Wmf6
Chess, not checkers https://t.co/3b7PjyV2Lt
— Casey Linck (@Master_Linck) August 28, 2023
Anything to keep the Buckeyes guessing, I guess.