First, let me be clear I'm not pouring cold water on IU's fast start. The best any team can ever do is beat the teams they're scheduled to play and we're a perfect four-for-four to date. I was happy to be able to attend the UCLA game and be a part of IU's win in that iconic venue. I still think that was a key game and an important road win over a conference opponent with some good players. Our team looks disciplined, focused and fast, and Coach Cig and the staff are doing a nice job.
That said, all of this talk about a 10 or 11-win record and a berth in the CFP is very premature. The teams we've defeated have a combined record of 3-11. One of them, Western Illinois, hasn't won a game since 2021. Today's Sagarin ratings rank our strength of schedule nationally (including all D1 schools - - FBS and FCS) as 194th. We have yet to beat a very good team.
Our next opponent, Maryland, is the best team we will have played so far. They're 3-1, losing only to Michigan State on a last-second FG. Maryland's three wins include a W over a good Virginia team at Charlottesville.
This Saturday's game will be an important test and give us a much better idea as to whether IU is truly an upper echelon team.
Go Hoosiers!