Looking to next year, if one wanted to be a super optimist or a "I've seen it before" Negative Nellie (which we have a few of those on this board!), the season could have IU playing Purdue for an undefeated miracle season with national final four bids down to playing for a 6-6 bowl eligibility year! See each game and the two sides of the fan debate below each game.
Sep 4 @ Iowa
IU plays well, defense picks up where left off and Penix does too, looks like Camp Randall last season, IU 1-0. OR Iowa is the tough place to play, IU rusty and Iowa grinds out the close win. 0-1
SEP 11 (SAT) Idaho @ IU
Don't see IU losing this home opener under circumstances. IU 2-0 or 1-1
Sept 18 Cinci @ IU
Home game, two games to work out kinks and Penix & offense able to outscore & win game. IU 3-0 OR Cinci was for real last year, they have speed and IU feels pressure of big game. 1-2
SEP 25 (SAT) TBA @ Western KY
The better team who should win shows up and not only wins, back ups get time too. IU 4-0 AND I believe IU will figure out a way to win this one even on the road. 2-2
Oct 2 @ Penn St
The rematch game, PSU wants revenge, but IU D is stout and RB game grinds out IU close win. 5-0 OR Revenge is real, PSU has 100K going nuts in a white out and wins going away in 4th. 2-3
Oct 16 Home vs. MSU
Tucker is still in year two building up his team, IU rolls confidently. 6-0 AND I don't see MSU upset of IU at home next year, so IU 3-3
Oct 23 Home vs. OSU
If IU is rolling as hoped, this is THE national gameday, two undefeated B10 leaders, and IU gets monkey off it's back finally! IU 7-0 OR The OSU train replenishes, does its thing, pulls out the win. IU 3-4
Oct 30 @ MD
Coming off OSU win, this has upset/let down all over it, but the Defense carries us until late Campbell FG wins late in 4th! IU 8-0 OR MD recruiting starts to show, IU has big target on them...Upset! IU 3-5
Nov 6 @ Michigan
UM waiting for their own revenge game too at Big House, but IU still has their number, defense again is the key! IU 9-0 OR Harbaugh on hot seat has them playing much better, 100K fans boost them. IU 3-6
Nov 13 Rutgers at IU
Schianno has RU playing much better, but the home cooking & IU confidence is too much. IU 10-0 AND I don't see an upset in this game either. IU 4-6
Nov 20 Minny at IU
Coming off week got to rest some vs. Rutgers, IU plays Gophers well, control from the start. IU 11-0 AND I also think IU wins this game at home next year. IU 5-6
Nov 27 @ Purdue Bucket game
Per usual, PU is up for this home game, but IU playing for National Championship bid, Bucket stays at IU! 12-0! AND to salvage disappointing season, Hoosiers show grit to win and become bowl eligible at 6-6.
A shot at national championship would be incredible turn for IU, hard to fathom really, but fun to do so. And even in a pessimists year, at least IU finishes 3-0 to go to a bowl with end of year momentum!
Sep 4 @ Iowa
IU plays well, defense picks up where left off and Penix does too, looks like Camp Randall last season, IU 1-0. OR Iowa is the tough place to play, IU rusty and Iowa grinds out the close win. 0-1
SEP 11 (SAT) Idaho @ IU
Don't see IU losing this home opener under circumstances. IU 2-0 or 1-1
Sept 18 Cinci @ IU
Home game, two games to work out kinks and Penix & offense able to outscore & win game. IU 3-0 OR Cinci was for real last year, they have speed and IU feels pressure of big game. 1-2
SEP 25 (SAT) TBA @ Western KY
The better team who should win shows up and not only wins, back ups get time too. IU 4-0 AND I believe IU will figure out a way to win this one even on the road. 2-2
Oct 2 @ Penn St
The rematch game, PSU wants revenge, but IU D is stout and RB game grinds out IU close win. 5-0 OR Revenge is real, PSU has 100K going nuts in a white out and wins going away in 4th. 2-3
Oct 16 Home vs. MSU
Tucker is still in year two building up his team, IU rolls confidently. 6-0 AND I don't see MSU upset of IU at home next year, so IU 3-3
Oct 23 Home vs. OSU
If IU is rolling as hoped, this is THE national gameday, two undefeated B10 leaders, and IU gets monkey off it's back finally! IU 7-0 OR The OSU train replenishes, does its thing, pulls out the win. IU 3-4
Oct 30 @ MD
Coming off OSU win, this has upset/let down all over it, but the Defense carries us until late Campbell FG wins late in 4th! IU 8-0 OR MD recruiting starts to show, IU has big target on them...Upset! IU 3-5
Nov 6 @ Michigan
UM waiting for their own revenge game too at Big House, but IU still has their number, defense again is the key! IU 9-0 OR Harbaugh on hot seat has them playing much better, 100K fans boost them. IU 3-6
Nov 13 Rutgers at IU
Schianno has RU playing much better, but the home cooking & IU confidence is too much. IU 10-0 AND I don't see an upset in this game either. IU 4-6
Nov 20 Minny at IU
Coming off week got to rest some vs. Rutgers, IU plays Gophers well, control from the start. IU 11-0 AND I also think IU wins this game at home next year. IU 5-6
Nov 27 @ Purdue Bucket game
Per usual, PU is up for this home game, but IU playing for National Championship bid, Bucket stays at IU! 12-0! AND to salvage disappointing season, Hoosiers show grit to win and become bowl eligible at 6-6.
A shot at national championship would be incredible turn for IU, hard to fathom really, but fun to do so. And even in a pessimists year, at least IU finishes 3-0 to go to a bowl with end of year momentum!