Biggest home game since 1967

[Bowlmania]

I was refreshing my memory this morning on past seasons, and I'm thinking this Saturday's game against the Wolverines will be our biggest home game since the 1967 Bucket game that punched our ticket to Pasadena.

What other home games since the Rose Bowl season have been huge? The first that comes to mind is the October 1987 game against Michigan, the game where Schembechler complained about the crowd noise at Memorial Stadium. That was definitely a big game (and huge win), coming on the heels of our "darkest day" win in Columbus a few weeks earlier. But it was only October, IU was just 3-0 in conference play coming in, and our #15 national ranking was lower than what it's going to be this weekend.

What else? 2020 was a special season. IU was 6-1 in conference play. But it was the shortened Covid season, and with only hundreds in attendance, it's tough to consider any of those games among IU's all-time biggest home games. (That Penn State game, though, and Michael Penix's dive for the pylon, will always be memorable).

What's at stake this Saturday? A win against Michigan would give us a 10-win season for the first time in program history. It would also enhance our position in the CFP rankings, increasing our chances of appearing in the 12-team playoff. Finally, a win this weekend would almost guarantee a no-worse-than 11-1 regular season (Purdue is awful) and a possible date in Indy on December 7.

Go Hoosiers!

 

[BaxterIU]

IU has only beaten Michigan twice (1987 & 2020) since the 1967 Rose Bowl year. The Hoosiers were underdogs in both games. Without researching the line for each game over the past five decades, I suspect that this week's game will be the first time IU has been favored to beat Michigan in over 50 years. I'm guessing IU will be favored by somewhere near a touchdown.

 

[Harry Hondo]

IU has only beaten Michigan twice (1987 & 2020) since the 1967 Rose Bowl year. The Hoosiers were underdogs in both games. Without researching the line for each game over the past five decades, I suspect that this week's game will be the first time IU has been favored to beat Michigan in over 50 years. I'm guessing IU will be favored by somewhere near a touchdown.

My CBS app has IU -12.5. I think it was -9.5 yesterday before our win. I think we’ll be jacked for this, much like Nebraska and Michigan will be overwhelmed. My early prediction is IU by 5 td’s.. at least!

 

[mrhighlife]

BRING GAMEDAY BACK!!!

 

[oldcougar77]

I was refreshing my memory this morning on past seasons, and I'm thinking this Saturday's game against the Wolverines will be our biggest home game since the 1967 Bucket game that punched our ticket to Pasadena.

What other home games since the Rose Bowl season have been huge? The first that comes to mind is the October 1987 game against Michigan, the game where Schembechler complained about the crowd noise at Memorial Stadium. That was definitely a big game (and huge win), coming on the heels of our "darkest day" win in Columbus a few weeks earlier. But it was only October, IU was just 3-0 in conference play coming in, and our #15 national ranking was lower than what it's going to be this weekend.

What else? 2020 was a special season. IU was 6-1 in conference play. But it was the shortened Covid season, and with only hundreds in attendance, it's tough to consider any of those games among IU's all-time biggest home games. (That Penn State game, though, and Michael Penix's dive for the pylon, will always be memorable).

What's at stake this Saturday? A win against Michigan would give us a 10-win season for the first time in program history. It would also enhance our position in the CFP rankings, increasing our chances of appearing in the 12-team playoff. Finally, a win this weekend would almost guarantee a no-worse-than 11-1 regular season (Purdue is awful) and a possible date in Indy on December 7.

Go Hoosiers!

The 2007 Bucket game ( play 13 for Hep) was huge as we needed a win to be bowl eligible. Full house, rabid IU crowd. The drama of Austin Starr's game-ending fg was a perfect ending to that game and season.

 

[Bowlmania]

The 2007 Bucket game ( play 13 for Hep) was huge as we needed a win to be bowl eligible. Full house, rabid IU crowd. The drama of Austin Starr's game-ending fg was a perfect ending to that game and season.

Agreed. I was there, and the place was rocking. We had six wins going in, but 6-6 was not going to cut it that year so we had to win. And did.

Great game in IU history, but with only regional significance.

 

[TR32]

The 93 game against #1 PSU was a big one, when they brought in Kerry Collins and Kijana Carter.

 

[82hoosier]

I’m still going with the Nebraska game. Bowl eligible. College game day. Stomped a 5-1 Nebraska team and sold out every remaining home game. Set expectations for a top 10 season. Now Michigan is a decided underdog.

 

[TDr12]

I was refreshing my memory this morning on past seasons, and I'm thinking this Saturday's game against the Wolverines will be our biggest home game since the 1967 Bucket game that punched our ticket to Pasadena.

What other home games since the Rose Bowl season have been huge? The first that comes to mind is the October 1987 game against Michigan, the game where Schembechler complained about the crowd noise at Memorial Stadium. That was definitely a big game (and huge win), coming on the heels of our "darkest day" win in Columbus a few weeks earlier. But it was only October, IU was just 3-0 in conference play coming in, and our #15 national ranking was lower than what it's going to be this weekend.

What else? 2020 was a special season. IU was 6-1 in conference play. But it was the shortened Covid season, and with only hundreds in attendance, it's tough to consider any of those games among IU's all-time biggest home games. (That Penn State game, though, and Michael Penix's dive for the pylon, will always be memorable).

What's at stake this Saturday? A win against Michigan would give us a 10-win season for the first time in program history. It would also enhance our position in the CFP rankings, increasing our chances of appearing in the 12-team playoff. Finally, a win this weekend would almost guarantee a no-worse-than 11-1 regular season (Purdue is awful) and a possible date in Indy on December 7.

Go Hoosiers!

Nail on the head on this, Bowlmania. Well said. Let's go Hoosiers!!!

 

[TMFT]

I’m still going with the Nebraska game. Bowl eligible. College game day. Stomped a 5-1 Nebraska team and sold out they remaining home games. Set expectations for a top 10 season. Now Michigan is a decided underdog.

Nebraska = big noon
Washington = gameday

Either one a pretty big deal for sure

 

[iu2win]

Despite IU's woeful history in terms of college football there still have been many fantastic games played at Memorial Stadium and for a variety of circumstances/reasons. For each of us there may be that one particular game we remember as THE BIGGEST game for IU. I sit here this morning pondering all of the seasons in which I attended games and endured IU getting it handed to them the way IU gave it to MSU yesterday, and WASH the week before, and NEB before that and so on. I was a student at IU during the time when Wisc had been previously known as a game IU could win on the schedule; then, that all changed and Wisc started kicking a$$ every year.

It is my hope this year is that year for IU; where IU is the team others dread seeing on the schedule; hello, NEB and Scott Frost's desire to play IU every year . . . how's that working out for you now? This team is special, this season is like no other, and Saturday is the game that can set the mark never before achieved by an IU football team; no matter the opponent, Saturday has the potential to be The Biggest Game to ever be played at Memorial Stadium.

 

[daddyhoosier]

Interesting thread, I hope more people chime in because I'd like to hear what people say. We can crowd source a timeline.

In terms of implications you have to go back to 67. If Indiana wins they will have a good shot at the B1G Championship Game, regardless of what happens with the Bucknuts. But if they fall to a meatchicken team that we know is talented, all of the sudden all aspirations for Indy and the CFB Playoff are contingent on a win in Columbus.

I know this falls more under the memorable category but that comeback win against Illinois with ARE and company was pretty cool. Also this year's win against Nebraska (sold out, Big Noon) was fun because it marks the moment when we realized we really had something here.

But yeah, Austin Starr and the Penix Reach will forever be a part of iufb folklore.

 

[YOTHN]

Even though Michigan stinks, they were in the national title game last season and we'll be playing those winged helmets on CBS, with Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson on the call....this team will want to put on a show out there.

 

[mobilehoosier]

Wonder how many teams have had both teams from the prior year's natty game on their schedule the following season? Can't be many.
I'll go with Cig. The biggest game is the next one. After the season is done, I plan to bask in the Glory of Old IU Football while Woody starts kicking some ass. Go Hoosiers!

 

[iu2win]

You hit on a very critical point Mobile; there are numerous comments (by opponents and media) about IU's weak schedule. However, IU has the two teams from last year's championship game on the schedule and it is not IU's fault they are both much less than what they were last year. Furthermore, this IU team may have been able to hang with either of those teams from last season; IU may have lost but I don't think either would have been a cake walk.

 

[daddyhoosier]

I submit the Cincinnati game in Sept 2021. We came into the season ranked 17th but then got boatraced in Iowa. In Week 2 we thumped Idaho pretty good. In Week 3 we faced No. 8 Cincinnati in Bloomington. At the time we viewed this as an opportunity to get back on track with a statement win. That of course didn't materialize but going into the game I think we thought it was pretty big.

 

[IUgradman]

Just looking at things objectively, the only reason that this is a big game is because of the uniform the opponent wears. Michigan is a dogshit team, no better than MSU and worse than Washington. If Rourke’s thumb is OK, IU should win by 20+.

 

[TR32]

AT's last home game was special too. He was truly a one of a generation athlete and an all-time great.

 

[Crossblock]

Let Me throw out a game that people tend to forget about. The 1988 Iowa game in Bloomington. we won 45-34. But that was the game that took over 4 hours to play. We got up by a big score in the first half. chuck Hartleib of Iowa threw for over 550 yards and had Iowa going in the second half. Anthony Thompson carried the ball 47 times. Hartleib must have thrown the ball over 60 times (mostly in the second half). In the fourth quarter it seemed the clock wasn't running at all with all the stoppages for first downs, incomplete passes, and out of bounds plays. The game started at 3:30 p.m. and ended around 7:30 p.m. We went to the Liberty Bowl that year and beat South Carolina.
I was also trying to remember if that was before We had permanent lights in the Stadium. Before We had permanent lights, They would bring in trucks from a Company out of Iowa that had rigs that would allow them to rig and support large light poles and position them above the rim of the stadium to provide lights.

 

[Bowlmania]

I submit the Cincinnati game in Sept 2021. We came into the season ranked 17th but then got boatraced in Iowa. In Week 2 we thumped Idaho pretty good. In Week 3 we faced No. 8 Cincinnati in Bloomington. At the time we viewed this as an opportunity to get back on track with a statement win. That of course didn't materialize but going into the game I think we thought it was pretty big.

I forgot about that one. Nice catch.

 

[Bowlmania]

Just looking at things objectively, the only reason that this is a big game is because of the uniform the opponent wears. Michigan is a dogshit team, no better than MSU and worse than Washington. If Rourke’s thumb is OK, IU should win by 20+.

Wait. What?

A win would get us to 10 wins for the first time in program history. And keep us in the hunt for the B1G championship on 12/7. And keep us in the hunt for the CFP. And elevate our national standing and rep.

 

[IUT.]

Wait. What?

A win would get us to 10 wins for the first time in program history. And keep us in the hunt for the B1G championship on 12/7. And keep us in the hunt for the CFP. And elevate our national standing and rep.

The Michigan game is the most important to me so far this year. UM is one of those programs that have vexed us over the last 50 years no matter how good a team we had and no matter how badly they seemed to be struggling.

There have been a lot of close losses to UM over the years including the time Lee Corso lost his onions and decided to kick an easy FG for a tie rather than go for the win on the last play inside their 4 yard line. The FG failed.

So this game is important. That said, the game at OSU this year is the only one I see being bigger than the most wonderful IU game I can remember which was the “Darkest Day” game in 1987.

Went into Columbus and absolutely stomped a 9th ranked OSU team we hadn’t beaten since the 1950s.

I still watch clips of that game on YouTube. It would be nice to be able to have more OSU ass kickings to watch in the years to come.

 

[76-1]

Wonder how many teams have had both teams from the prior year's natty game on their schedule the following season? Can't be many.
I'll go with Cig. The biggest game is the next one. After the season is done, I plan to bask in the Glory of Old IU Football while Woody starts kicking some ass. Go Hoosiers!

Yep...

The biggest game is the Next Game...

- Coach Cignetti

😉😎🏈

Now my two cents:

This needs to be a no mercy beat down if we're ever to be taken completely seriously by the national talking heads... We need to keep our foot on the gas right up to the 1:00 mark of the 4th... Oregon beat them by 21. We need to triple that if possible.

 

[duggerdude]

What about the Iowa game in Hep’s last year? Safety intercepts the ball to seal the game over a ranked Iowa team. Hep claim they are a “shooting rocket”. Sorry, cant remember all the details.

 

[td75]

1988 Indiana/Ky
2000 Indiana/Iowa
2006 Indiana/Iowa
2024 Indiana/Nebraska

The 1988 Indiana win over Kentucky is my favorite for sentimental reasons as my dad and grandpa took me.

In the 2000 Indiana/Iowa game, my then girlfriend and I scalped cheap tickets outside the stadium that saw us sit next to the then Indiana AD at the 50 yard line, row 1!!

The 2006 Indiana/Iowa game saw Will Meyers make a one handed interception to clinch the win. My wife and I were there and can be seen from behind in the Big Ten Classic replay.

The 2024 Nebraska win saw my wife, son, and I attend. It was probably the best game I've ever attended for atmosphere and win quality!!

If you'll excuse me, I'm working on a 9-0 highball!

 

[13thman]

Let Me throw out a game that people tend to forget about. The 1988 Iowa game in Bloomington. we won 45-34. But that was the game that took over 4 hours to play. We got up by a big score in the first half. chuck Hartleib of Iowa threw for over 550 yards and had Iowa going in the second half. Anthony Thompson carried the ball 47 times. Hartleib must have thrown the ball over 60 times (mostly in the second half). In the fourth quarter it seemed the clock wasn't running at all with all the stoppages for first downs, incomplete passes, and out of bounds plays. The game started at 3:30 p.m. and ended around 7:30 p.m. We went to the Liberty Bowl that year and beat South Carolina.
I was also trying to remember if that was before We had permanent lights in the Stadium. Before We had permanent lights, They would bring in trucks from a Company out of Iowa that had rigs that would allow them to rig and support large light poles and position them above the rim of the stadium to provide lights.

How can I forget that game? Didn't it just finish a couple days ago?

 

[812jmac]

This week definitely would be top 5 for sure, given the record implications.

Would it be topped in 3 weeks when we have the potential for a 12-0 record despite playing the abysmal Toiletmakers from Laugh-ayette?

 

[red hornet]

How can I forget that game? Didn't it just finish a couple days ago?

LOL. Hayden Fry was not too happy, stalking the sidelines