I wouldn't even bother anymore, rcaulfie. It's an unusual position that is essentially "set the bar low so the fans don't turn on the HC if they have a bad season." Look, there will be jokers/idiots calling for his head if IU loses Game 1 to Ohio State. You don't go into college coaching if you can't deal with public criticism - - whether it's rational or ridiculous. Further, it doesn't matter what the fans think anyway because he'll be back for year 2 irrespective of what happens in year 1.Oh gee......I've only followed IU and college football for 45 years. Me hoping we can improve to 7-6 from 6-7.....if you think that is "extreme", well, I am honestly at a loss for words for you. If you think Redding is a huge loss, then that's your opinion. I'm not worried about it.
The fact of the matter is, we are definitely NOT in a rebuilding mode. We promoted Allen and kept things in place as much as we possibly could after having to release Wilson. We did not go and hire a new coach and have all kinds of turnover. Teams lose some of their best players every year, and this year we have lost fewer than normal. Go ahead and point out those great players all you want, we have a ton coming back. That is not optimism, that is realism. I have never been one to have false expectations, and thinking we can continue our improvement - even only slightly - is hardly an extreme.
I'm predicting 7-5 this season. I'm also predicting that our friend from out west won't be hired for a sales or marketing position with IU Athletics anytime soon.