IU Opponents

[Bowlmania]

First, let me be clear I'm not pouring cold water on IU's fast start. The best any team can ever do is beat the teams they're scheduled to play and we're a perfect four-for-four to date. I was happy to be able to attend the UCLA game and be a part of IU's win in that iconic venue. I still think that was a key game and an important road win over a conference opponent with some good players. Our team looks disciplined, focused and fast, and Coach Cig and the staff are doing a nice job.

That said, all of this talk about a 10 or 11-win record and a berth in the CFP is very premature. The teams we've defeated have a combined record of 3-11. One of them, Western Illinois, hasn't won a game since 2021. Today's Sagarin ratings rank our strength of schedule nationally (including all D1 schools - - FBS and FCS) as 194th. We have yet to beat a very good team.

Our next opponent, Maryland, is the best team we will have played so far. They're 3-1, losing only to Michigan State on a last-second FG. Maryland's three wins include a W over a good Virginia team at Charlottesville.

This Saturday's game will be an important test and give us a much better idea as to whether IU is truly an upper echelon team.

Go Hoosiers!

 

[td75]

Ohio State has played Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall. Those three teams have combined for three wins total. I don't think Indiana is much different than many teams who are currently sitting undefeated.

Indiana has to prove itself every week going forward because the fanbase will continue to find reasons to question the worthiness of each win. Ohio State football fans don't do that, they have history on their side.

I hope Cignetti builds a program where these negative perceptions are shattered.

 

[IUgradman]

UCLA was viewed as a tough game that would show whether or not IU was for real. IU won easily.

 

[Bowlmania]

Ohio State has played Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall. Those three teams have combined for three wins total. I don't think Indiana is much different than many teams who are currently sitting undefeated.

Indiana has to prove itself every week going forward because the fanbase will continue to find reasons to question the worthiness of each win. Ohio State football fans don't do that, they have history on their side.

I hope Cignetti builds a program where these negative perceptions are shattered.

Look, most of us are IU fans. I bleed cream and crimson. I don't want to argue with another IU fan about how good (or not) we are. I'll just say that comparing IU to Ohio State at this juncture, in any way, shape or form, doesn't make for a compelling argument.

Indiana has to prove itself every week because we are the losingest program in NCAA Division 1 history and because this fanbase has suffered like few others. We have a history of losing games in the most gut-wrenching fashion. We (the fans) have been teased with some big upsets and even a few winning seasons (a very few - - just three since 1995). We even cracked the Top 10 nationally in 2020, only to have everything fall apart soon after.

I'll say it again. I'm thrilled that we're 4-0. I'll be even happier once we've defeated somebody good. I expect that to happen this weekend.

Go Hoosiers!

 

[Kelly_32]

Look, most of us are IU fans. I bleed cream and crimson. I don't want to argue with another IU fan about how good (or not) we are. I'll just say that comparing IU to Ohio State at this juncture, in any way, shape or form, doesn't make for a compelling argument.

Indiana has to prove itself every week because we are the losingest program in NCAA Division 1 history and because this fanbase has suffered like few others. We have a history of losing games in the most gut-wrenching fashion. We (the fans) have been teased with some big upsets and even a few winning seasons (a very few - - just three since 1995). We even cracked the Top 10 nationally in 2020, only to have everything fall apart soon after.

I'll say it again. I'm thrilled that we're 4-0. I'll be even happier once we've defeated somebody good. I expect that to happen this weekend.

Go Hoosiers!

F*ck the history. It doesn’t matter. You think CCC gives two shits about our history?

 

[TomEric4756]

First, let me be clear I'm not pouring cold water on IU's fast start. The best any team can ever do is beat the teams they're scheduled to play and we're a perfect four-for-four to date. I was happy to be able to attend the UCLA game and be a part of IU's win in that iconic venue. I still think that was a key game and an important road win over a conference opponent with some good players. Our team looks disciplined, focused and fast, and Coach Cig and the staff are doing a nice job.

That said, all of this talk about a 10 or 11-win record and a berth in the CFP is very premature. The teams we've defeated have a combined record of 3-11. One of them, Western Illinois, hasn't won a game since 2021. Today's Sagarin ratings rank our strength of schedule nationally (including all D1 schools - - FBS and FCS) as 194th. We have yet to beat a very good team.

Our next opponent, Maryland, is the best team we will have played so far. They're 3-1, losing only to Michigan State on a last-second FG. Maryland's three wins include a W over a good Virginia team at Charlottesville.

This Saturday's game will be an important test and give us a much better idea as to whether IU is truly an upper echelon team.

Go Hoosiers!

Yes we’ll get a better view (v. The Terps) whether the O is the irresistible force and whether the D is the immovable object (HEP’s rock). I’ll say there is more evidence that the Hoosiers are real and not frauds.

 

[TomEric4756]

Yes we’ll get a better view (v. The Terps) whether the O is the irresistible force and whether the D is the immovable object (HEP’s rock). I’ll say there is more evidence that the Hoosiers are real and not frauds.

CCC’s relentless objective is to kick a$$ every game. He is batting 1.000.

 

[Bowlmania]

F*ck the history. It doesn’t matter. You think CCC gives two shits about our history?

Of course he doesn’t. He’s new here. But I do. I’ve lived and suffered through much of it.

I’ve spent a lot of money watching IU lose over the years. Cignetti is getting paid a shit ton of money to produce wins. I think he’s the guy and will ultimately get us to where we all want to be. But talking CFP one month into a guy’s first season following wins against three bad teams and one mediocre team is, in my opinion, ridiculous. I’ll join that conversation when and if we’re 7-0 after beating Nebraska.

 

[kmathum]

Of course he doesn’t. He’s new here. But I do. I’ve lived and suffered through much of it.

I’ve spent a lot of money watching IU lose over the years. Cignetti is getting paid a shit ton of money to produce wins. I think he’s the guy and will ultimately get us to where we all want to be. But talking CFP one month into a guy’s first season following wins against three bad teams and one mediocre team is, in my opinion, ridiculous. I’ll join that conversation when and if we’re 7-0 after beating Nebraska.

Coach CIG isn't talking CFP.

 

[YOTHN]

Coach CIG isn't talking CFP.

He was referring to the fan base, and I agree.

 

[Crossblock]

You can only play the teams that are on the Schedule and only prepare for and win the next game on the Schedule. Let's go out and get the Home Game against Maryland Saturday and prepare for the away game at Northwestern. If We can make it to the break at 6-0 with no significant season ending injuries, then We have something to talk about.

 

[YOTHN]

Yes we’ll get a better view (v. The Terps) whether the O is the irresistible force and whether the D is the immovable object (HEP’s rock). I’ll say there is more evidence that the Hoosiers are real and not frauds.

I don't think anyone is saying IU is a fraud, by any means. They've looked great!

But they still could be somewhere in between. Pretty sure that was the point trying to ve made, we just don't know yet. We could be really good and a 10-11 win team but talking 11-12 wins after what we've accomplished so far feels fraudulent.

 

[IUgradman]

The excitement we have stems from the fact that IU is playing the way a top ten team would against this same competition. Do you think Ohio State would win by larger margins?

 

[OpenWheels]

I disagree on tempering expectations. Why? Of course it's somewhat chance. But since most games each team has a chance, we know we'll win a lot of games. We already have 4. Plus because of the organization... We can already see that.

So many B1G games we've been in over the years both teams tried mightily to give the game to the other team. Usually Indiana couldn't take advantage and would lose at the end. Those should go our way much more often. If we don't win at least 8, it'll be a disappointing final 2/3 of the season. People talking nine and more is fine. Those folks aren't saying we will, just that we could. Of course we could. We have a good chance of that.

 

[kmathum]

He was referring to the fan base, and I agree.

He's the only one that matters.

 

[YOTHN]

I disagree on tempering expectations. Why? Of course it's somewhat chance. But since most games each team has a chance, we know we'll win a lot of games. We already have 4. Plus because of the organization... We can already see that.

So many B1G games we've been in over the years both teams tried mightily to give the game to the other team. Usually Indiana couldn't take advantage and would lose at the end. Those should go our way much more often. If we don't win at least 8, it'll be a disappointing final 2/3 of the season. People talking nine and more is fine. Those folks aren't saying we will, just that we could. Of course we could. We have a good chance of that.

It'll only be disappointing to the people who aren't staying realistic and prefer to get ahead of themselves. That's literally the point being made. Stay grounded.