So looking at the 2019 schedule, I think IU will be in a much similar situation as they were this season. Looking at a ceiling of maybe 8 wins and a floor of maybe 4.
Ball State - Starting off the season in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy sounds awesome. I'm sure the players will be excited to play in an NFL stadium, but I've never been a fan of these types of games. They are a bit sterile. You don't get that same advantage of being at home and the home crowd (and for you negative Ned's and Nancy's out there.. stop. IU's crowd does typically show up vocally in these early season non-conference games). I still think the Hoosiers will win this one though. I think Stevie Scott comes out and puts on a show. Ramsey will start and will do enough to get the W. He'll be efficient on the short routes and throw a couple of TDs while infuriating some with a few missed deep balls.
Eastern Illinois - More Stevie Scott, but this game also allows some younger players to get in and get some game experience. Ramsey plays the first half as IU opens a big lead. Tuttle comes in during the second half and puts on a show. Watch out everyone the newest QB controversy lights up the boards! The defense puts up a shut out and after two games sits at +4 in takeaways.
OSU - OSU at home, sitting at 2-0. Things are looking up. The calls of 12-0, Rose Bowl! are ringing loud. And then the game starts. Yeah, OSU goes OSU. The Hoosiers put up a good fight through 3 quarters. Stevie Scott has his 3rd 100 yard rushing game to start off the season, puts a couple in the endzone, but it's not enough as OSU puts the Hoosiers away halfway through the 4th, the home crowd starts to leave early, and it's 38-24 bad guys.
UConn - Bounce back game against the last non-conference team on the schedule for the year. IU has never beaten UConn. Randy Edsell is back at the helm but the second time around hasn't been so good so far. 1-11 in 2018, and a good number of those in blowout fashion. IU comes out ready to show that the OSU game is just one game and they just abuse the Huskies. Stevie Scott goes for over 200 yards. The defense has 2 takeaways, and Penix comes in during the second half for his first action of the season. He adds another layer to the QB "controversy" that's brewing all over the internet.
MSU - MSU's defense is MSU's defense. Stevie Scott sees his streak of 100+ rushing yard games to start the season come to an end. IU is able to move the ball a bit, but has to settle for FGs instead of TDs in the redzone. MSU's offense still struggles to put up their own points and this is a game that comes down to the last 5 minutes of the 4th. IU has a chance to pull off the upset against the ranked Spartans, but a last minute fumble by Ramsey as he tries to scramble for the first down to keep the drive alive on 4th and 3. The Hoosiers sit at 3-2 heading into one of the most important stretches of the season.
Rutgers - The Hoosiers take on the Scarlet Knights at home. The fans are calling it a must win. The team comes out and puts up a quick 14 points, including a pick six by Marcelino Ball. Scott gets back on track with another 150 yard performance. Ramsey throws a frustrating interception late in the second quarter with the Hoosiers driving to go up 3 scores before the half. Rutgers takes advantage and drives back down making the halftime score 28-14 and will start the second half with the ball. The defense struggles a bit coming out of the locker room and the crowd begins to murmur as the score is 28-21 and an air of "here we go again" begins to settle over Memorial Stadium. Then the offense comes out and Penix is at the helm. The Hoosiers have a new energy and put up 21 points in the 3rd. Rutgers tries to put up a fight the rest of the way, but IU pulls away and wins 56-28.
Maryland - IU is looking to something that has eluded them often. Win a Big Ten game on the road. Maryland is sitting at 3-3 and this is a game that they view as a must win for their bowl hopes. So does IU. After his performance against Rutgers Penix gets the start on offense. Scott has yet another 100 yards rushing, and Penix throws for 2 TDs and rushes for another. The defense gets a takeaway, and runs their total for the year to +8. This one is close in the 4th quarter with IU up 28-24 with 10 minutes to play. The Hoosiers give up a field goal and it's 28-27 with 7:36 to play. IU goes to the ground and eats up 5 minutes, but only comes away with a field goal themselves. 31-27, 2:21 left on the clock. The defense puts up a good fight, stuffing the run on first, a hurry up and incompletion on 2nd and a sack on 3rd down to put Maryland in a 4th and 15 with 1:59 to play. Maryland incredibly completes the pass on 4th and they have 1st and 10 at their own 47 yard line. From their though the drive stalls, their next 4th down, they go for a Hail Mary that is knocked down by the defense at the 7 yard line. IU escapes with a much needed win and sits at 5-2 heading to Nebraska.
Nebraska - To say that 2018 was disappointing for the Cornhuskers would be an understatement. Frost came to Lincoln with big expectations and instead laid a big egg. 4 wins will not keep the rabid Cornhusker fanbase happy really anytime. But 2019 is a different story and sitting at 6-1 the Cornhuskers are one of the favorites to win the Big Ten West, especially after taking down Northwestern. The Hoosiers are looking to win back to back road games in the Big Ten for the first time since 2015 when they took down Maryland and Purdue on their way to the Pinstripe Bowl (the kick was good!). However it's not in the books today. Indiana looks a step slow and just off all game long. The offense is out of sync and the defense is missing tackles and assignments. Before halftime it's already a 35-17 game for Nebraska. Penix is on the bench at the beginning of the second half and Ramsey is back in. He gives the offense a little boost but it's not enough as the Hoosiers fall 49-31 and leave lots of questions heading into the next game.
Northwestern - Fans are on edge. Facing the prospect of having to face Purdue yet again with a bowl bid on the line will do that. But a win against Northwestern would erase that and really boost the year as a whole. It's been a tough season for the Wildcats. After starting off the season 3-0, 4 straight losses have them on the brink of a disastrous season. Well a match up against the Hoosiers could be just what they need to get things back on track. But the Hoosiers are at home. The fans have shown up on an absolutely beautiful early November afternoon and Memorial Stadium has a buzz to it. Northwestern wins the toss and defer to the second half. The offense then takes the ball and drives it right down Northwestern's throat. A Stevie Scott touchdown from 3 yards out caps off a 75 yard drive. The defense gets a fumble on Northwestern's first offensive series and it's 14-0 Hoosiers with a little over 7 minutes left in the first. IU controls the game throughout. It's not a high scoring affair, but the team puts on a workman's performance in coming away with a 35-24 victory that seals bowl eligibility for IU.
Penn State - IU is 3-3 in Big Ten play, 6-3 overall heading into State College after a bye week. The Nittany Lions are 8-1. There's still an outside shot for them to play for a Big Ten Championship, and they come out ready to take care of business. IU plays tough, but it's not enough. Penn State's defense dominates and shuts down IU's run attack. Stevie Scott is held under 100 yards for only the second time this season. Without the threat of the run, the passing game suffers and IU's defense is worn down after spending a large part of the game on the field. Penn State wins 28-10.
Michigan - 6-4 Indiana takes on undefeated and 3rd ranked Michigan at home. ABC 3:30 time slot... do I really need to say more on this? IU actually catches Michigan looking ahead to "The Game" and comes out to lead through most of the game. Michigan takes it's first lead halfway through the third quarter, 24-21. IU comes back to tie 24-24 as the third quarter ends. The defense gets a three and out and after a long Stevie Scott run and a Penix to Hale TD the Hoosiers have the Wolverines on edge up 31-24 with just under 10 minutes left in the game. But the specter of IU games of past comes to haunt Memorial Stadium again. The Wolverines drive the ball down at tie it up at 31 all with 6:24 to go in the game. IU has a promising drive going when disaster strikes and the ball is fumbled on a bad snap. Michigan jumps on top and then drives the ball down again to score going up 38-31 with 2:57 to go in the game. With the lead the Michigan defense clamps down and with IU facing a 4th and 7 with a little under 2 minutes to go in the game, the ball is knocked away from Westbrook and Michigan runs the clock out to escape undefeated heading into the annual showdown with OSU. IU heads into the Old Oaken Bucket game bowl eligible, but riding a tough two game losing streak.
Purdue - The Old Oaken Bucket, on the road, bragging rights, all the things. Both teams come in 6-5. Everyone is bowl-eligible, so it really is a matter of putting another I or P on the chain. This one goes back and forth. Explosive plays happen on both sides. Scott goes for 175 on the ground. Moore racks up over 200 yards from scrimmage. It all comes down to a last second kick for IU to win it all. Logan Justus hits from 45 yards with :07 seconds left on the clock to put IU up 41-38. The Boilermakers try a lateral laden return that gets all the way down to the 20 yard line before the Hoosiers finally snag a missed lateral and cap off a 7-5 regular season by rushing the sidelines, grabbing the Bucket and celebrating in front of a shocked Ross-Ade Stadium crowd.
If you're still reading at this point, thank you for taking the time. Just a little bit of random conjecture on a cold Thursday afternoon!
Ball State - Starting off the season in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy sounds awesome. I'm sure the players will be excited to play in an NFL stadium, but I've never been a fan of these types of games. They are a bit sterile. You don't get that same advantage of being at home and the home crowd (and for you negative Ned's and Nancy's out there.. stop. IU's crowd does typically show up vocally in these early season non-conference games). I still think the Hoosiers will win this one though. I think Stevie Scott comes out and puts on a show. Ramsey will start and will do enough to get the W. He'll be efficient on the short routes and throw a couple of TDs while infuriating some with a few missed deep balls.
Eastern Illinois - More Stevie Scott, but this game also allows some younger players to get in and get some game experience. Ramsey plays the first half as IU opens a big lead. Tuttle comes in during the second half and puts on a show. Watch out everyone the newest QB controversy lights up the boards! The defense puts up a shut out and after two games sits at +4 in takeaways.
OSU - OSU at home, sitting at 2-0. Things are looking up. The calls of 12-0, Rose Bowl! are ringing loud. And then the game starts. Yeah, OSU goes OSU. The Hoosiers put up a good fight through 3 quarters. Stevie Scott has his 3rd 100 yard rushing game to start off the season, puts a couple in the endzone, but it's not enough as OSU puts the Hoosiers away halfway through the 4th, the home crowd starts to leave early, and it's 38-24 bad guys.
UConn - Bounce back game against the last non-conference team on the schedule for the year. IU has never beaten UConn. Randy Edsell is back at the helm but the second time around hasn't been so good so far. 1-11 in 2018, and a good number of those in blowout fashion. IU comes out ready to show that the OSU game is just one game and they just abuse the Huskies. Stevie Scott goes for over 200 yards. The defense has 2 takeaways, and Penix comes in during the second half for his first action of the season. He adds another layer to the QB "controversy" that's brewing all over the internet.
MSU - MSU's defense is MSU's defense. Stevie Scott sees his streak of 100+ rushing yard games to start the season come to an end. IU is able to move the ball a bit, but has to settle for FGs instead of TDs in the redzone. MSU's offense still struggles to put up their own points and this is a game that comes down to the last 5 minutes of the 4th. IU has a chance to pull off the upset against the ranked Spartans, but a last minute fumble by Ramsey as he tries to scramble for the first down to keep the drive alive on 4th and 3. The Hoosiers sit at 3-2 heading into one of the most important stretches of the season.
Rutgers - The Hoosiers take on the Scarlet Knights at home. The fans are calling it a must win. The team comes out and puts up a quick 14 points, including a pick six by Marcelino Ball. Scott gets back on track with another 150 yard performance. Ramsey throws a frustrating interception late in the second quarter with the Hoosiers driving to go up 3 scores before the half. Rutgers takes advantage and drives back down making the halftime score 28-14 and will start the second half with the ball. The defense struggles a bit coming out of the locker room and the crowd begins to murmur as the score is 28-21 and an air of "here we go again" begins to settle over Memorial Stadium. Then the offense comes out and Penix is at the helm. The Hoosiers have a new energy and put up 21 points in the 3rd. Rutgers tries to put up a fight the rest of the way, but IU pulls away and wins 56-28.
Maryland - IU is looking to something that has eluded them often. Win a Big Ten game on the road. Maryland is sitting at 3-3 and this is a game that they view as a must win for their bowl hopes. So does IU. After his performance against Rutgers Penix gets the start on offense. Scott has yet another 100 yards rushing, and Penix throws for 2 TDs and rushes for another. The defense gets a takeaway, and runs their total for the year to +8. This one is close in the 4th quarter with IU up 28-24 with 10 minutes to play. The Hoosiers give up a field goal and it's 28-27 with 7:36 to play. IU goes to the ground and eats up 5 minutes, but only comes away with a field goal themselves. 31-27, 2:21 left on the clock. The defense puts up a good fight, stuffing the run on first, a hurry up and incompletion on 2nd and a sack on 3rd down to put Maryland in a 4th and 15 with 1:59 to play. Maryland incredibly completes the pass on 4th and they have 1st and 10 at their own 47 yard line. From their though the drive stalls, their next 4th down, they go for a Hail Mary that is knocked down by the defense at the 7 yard line. IU escapes with a much needed win and sits at 5-2 heading to Nebraska.
Nebraska - To say that 2018 was disappointing for the Cornhuskers would be an understatement. Frost came to Lincoln with big expectations and instead laid a big egg. 4 wins will not keep the rabid Cornhusker fanbase happy really anytime. But 2019 is a different story and sitting at 6-1 the Cornhuskers are one of the favorites to win the Big Ten West, especially after taking down Northwestern. The Hoosiers are looking to win back to back road games in the Big Ten for the first time since 2015 when they took down Maryland and Purdue on their way to the Pinstripe Bowl (the kick was good!). However it's not in the books today. Indiana looks a step slow and just off all game long. The offense is out of sync and the defense is missing tackles and assignments. Before halftime it's already a 35-17 game for Nebraska. Penix is on the bench at the beginning of the second half and Ramsey is back in. He gives the offense a little boost but it's not enough as the Hoosiers fall 49-31 and leave lots of questions heading into the next game.
Northwestern - Fans are on edge. Facing the prospect of having to face Purdue yet again with a bowl bid on the line will do that. But a win against Northwestern would erase that and really boost the year as a whole. It's been a tough season for the Wildcats. After starting off the season 3-0, 4 straight losses have them on the brink of a disastrous season. Well a match up against the Hoosiers could be just what they need to get things back on track. But the Hoosiers are at home. The fans have shown up on an absolutely beautiful early November afternoon and Memorial Stadium has a buzz to it. Northwestern wins the toss and defer to the second half. The offense then takes the ball and drives it right down Northwestern's throat. A Stevie Scott touchdown from 3 yards out caps off a 75 yard drive. The defense gets a fumble on Northwestern's first offensive series and it's 14-0 Hoosiers with a little over 7 minutes left in the first. IU controls the game throughout. It's not a high scoring affair, but the team puts on a workman's performance in coming away with a 35-24 victory that seals bowl eligibility for IU.
Penn State - IU is 3-3 in Big Ten play, 6-3 overall heading into State College after a bye week. The Nittany Lions are 8-1. There's still an outside shot for them to play for a Big Ten Championship, and they come out ready to take care of business. IU plays tough, but it's not enough. Penn State's defense dominates and shuts down IU's run attack. Stevie Scott is held under 100 yards for only the second time this season. Without the threat of the run, the passing game suffers and IU's defense is worn down after spending a large part of the game on the field. Penn State wins 28-10.
Michigan - 6-4 Indiana takes on undefeated and 3rd ranked Michigan at home. ABC 3:30 time slot... do I really need to say more on this? IU actually catches Michigan looking ahead to "The Game" and comes out to lead through most of the game. Michigan takes it's first lead halfway through the third quarter, 24-21. IU comes back to tie 24-24 as the third quarter ends. The defense gets a three and out and after a long Stevie Scott run and a Penix to Hale TD the Hoosiers have the Wolverines on edge up 31-24 with just under 10 minutes left in the game. But the specter of IU games of past comes to haunt Memorial Stadium again. The Wolverines drive the ball down at tie it up at 31 all with 6:24 to go in the game. IU has a promising drive going when disaster strikes and the ball is fumbled on a bad snap. Michigan jumps on top and then drives the ball down again to score going up 38-31 with 2:57 to go in the game. With the lead the Michigan defense clamps down and with IU facing a 4th and 7 with a little under 2 minutes to go in the game, the ball is knocked away from Westbrook and Michigan runs the clock out to escape undefeated heading into the annual showdown with OSU. IU heads into the Old Oaken Bucket game bowl eligible, but riding a tough two game losing streak.
Purdue - The Old Oaken Bucket, on the road, bragging rights, all the things. Both teams come in 6-5. Everyone is bowl-eligible, so it really is a matter of putting another I or P on the chain. This one goes back and forth. Explosive plays happen on both sides. Scott goes for 175 on the ground. Moore racks up over 200 yards from scrimmage. It all comes down to a last second kick for IU to win it all. Logan Justus hits from 45 yards with :07 seconds left on the clock to put IU up 41-38. The Boilermakers try a lateral laden return that gets all the way down to the 20 yard line before the Hoosiers finally snag a missed lateral and cap off a 7-5 regular season by rushing the sidelines, grabbing the Bucket and celebrating in front of a shocked Ross-Ade Stadium crowd.
If you're still reading at this point, thank you for taking the time. Just a little bit of random conjecture on a cold Thursday afternoon!
