If this turns into a four-win season for IU, then the real problem manifests itself in living rooms all over Indiana and Florida when other coaches talk to prospective recruits interested in the Hoosiers. Their message could well go something like this:
"Take a look at Indiana's recent history. In 2016, they won six games; in 2017 they won five games and this season, they won four games. How many games do you think they're going to win next season? I'm guessing they will win three games. And, before you can graduate, they will be down to losing every game on the schedule. Do you seriously think that trend will get you to the NFL?"
And that could become a mantra impossible to overcome, which will hurt recruiting, which will hurt performance on the field.
Perhaps the single most critical question for IU football is: For how much longer will Fred Glass' man-crush on Tom Allen last?
"Take a look at Indiana's recent history. In 2016, they won six games; in 2017 they won five games and this season, they won four games. How many games do you think they're going to win next season? I'm guessing they will win three games. And, before you can graduate, they will be down to losing every game on the schedule. Do you seriously think that trend will get you to the NFL?"
And that could become a mantra impossible to overcome, which will hurt recruiting, which will hurt performance on the field.
Perhaps the single most critical question for IU football is: For how much longer will Fred Glass' man-crush on Tom Allen last?