2008 vs 2021

[hoosierfan13]

In 2007, we had our best season in 2 decades. We went to a bowl game. We found a QB that would lead us to future success (Kellen Lewis). The expectation the next year was 7+ wins.

We start the season with a win over Western Kentucky and an FCS opponent who we blow out. We host an out-of-conference team at home by multiple possessions that ended up having a perfect regular season (Ball State). and beats us at our place by multiple possessions.

We then open conference play in a "must win" home game vs. Michigan State where we play well, but not good enough to win. Michigan State goes on to have a 9+ win season. Offense can't get going in the next few weeks, as we score 7, 9, and 13 points. Lower level competition in the middle of the season nets us close games (3 point loss to CMU, 2 point win to Northwestern), but we become bowl ineligible with a 25 point loss to a run-heavy team (Wisconsin), and then mail in the final 2 games, losing on average by 39.5 points.

.... Let's copy and paste what I just wrote, and apply it to this season

In 2020, we had our best season in 2 decades. We went to a bowl game. We found a QB that would lead us to future success (Michael Penix). The expectation the next year was 7+ wins.

We start the season with a win over Western Kentucky and an FCS opponent who we blow out. We host an out-of-conference team at home by multiple possessions that ended up having a perfect regular season (Cincinnati). and beats us at our place by multiple possessions.

We then open conference play in a "must win" home game vs. Michigan State where we play well, but not good enough to win. Michigan State goes on to have a 9+ win season. Offense can't get going in the next few weeks, as we score 7 points vs Ohio State. Lower level competition in the middle of the season nets us close games (3 points loss to Maryland), but we become bowl ineligible with a 22 point loss to a run-heavy team (Michigan), and then mail in the final 3 games, losing on average by 31 points.

The aftermath of 2008 was a 1-8 conference record in 2009 (beat a 3-9 Illinois team), and an 0-7 start in 2010 which got our coaching staff fired after allowing 83 points to Wisconsin. We did salvage the bucket in OT as a going away gift. We then hired a new coach who went 1-11 (0-8 in conference) in 2011, and did not make a bowl until 2015.

I don't know where I'm going here other than pointing out that this season felt exactly like 2008, and which was followed by 2 conference wins in 3 years, the firing of the coaching staff, and no bowl games for 6 years.

I look at who we are losing and it just makes me even more angry a group that was 70+% Seniors, off 2 consecutive Florida bowl appearances, lost by 35 at home to Rutgers.

 

[GeddyHoosier]

Yup many similarities. I would add that both of those QB’s ended up being busts- although for different reasons. One couldn’t stay healthy and the other couldn’t stay out of trouble off the field. Both teams had a Mr. Nice Guy coach who got the job under unusual circumstances/ bad timing: Hep’s passing and Wilson’s “ issues.” Neither are Big Ten level coaches, but were the simplest/ most available options at the time. Both will end up being fired.

 

[Bowlmania]

.... Let's copy and paste what I just wrote, and apply it to this season



The aftermath of 2008 was a 1-8 conference record in 2009 (beat a 3-9 Illinois team), and an 0-7 start in 2010 which got our coaching staff fired after allowing 83 points to Wisconsin. We did salvage the bucket in OT as a going away gift. We then hired a new coach who went 1-11 (0-8 in conference) in 2011, and did not make a bowl until 2015.

I don't know where I'm going here other than pointing out that this season felt exactly like 2008, and which was followed by 2 conference wins in 3 years, the firing of the coaching staff, and no bowl games for 6 years.

I look at who we are losing and it just makes me even more angry a group that was 70+% Seniors, off 2 consecutive Florida bowl appearances, lost by 35 at home to Rutgers.

This year's collapse is worse than what happened in 2008.

The 2007 team had some talent (e.g. Lewis, Hardy, Middleton, Porter) but the Hep/Lynch coaching staffs weren't recruiting at the same level as the current guys, the 2007 team had a losing conference record, and it simply wasn't as good as the 2019 and 2020 Hoosiers. The success of the 2007 season was largely driven by the emotion associated with Coach Hep's passing.

We're not used to "falls" at IU because we're not usually very good, but the fall this year - - going from a two-year conference record of 11-5, two consecutive mid-tier bowls and a #17 preseason ranking to a 2-10 record and zero wins in conference play - - was of epic proportions.

The new OC hire will be the most important career decision CTA ever makes.