Now that we've become a National Power...😉

[76-1]

We must get our fan base completely up to speed in regard to what's happening on the Football field...

We need to reach the ultra-pain in the a-- level of fan knowledge that drives Refs to drink when they visit Assembly Hall to call a basketball game...

In the spirit of reaching that level of Football Knowledge for All INDIANA Football Fans I give you these baseline level tutorials:

 

[76-1]

We must get our fan base completely up to speed in regard to what's happening on the Football field...

We need to reach the ultra-pain in the a-- level of fan knowledge that drives Refs to drink when they visit Assembly Hall to call a basketball game...

In the spirit of reaching that level of Football Knowledge for All INDIANA Football Fans I give you these baseline level tutorials:

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Part Two

Defense:

🏈 The Ultimate 4-2-5 Defense Guide [2025 Updated]

Mastering the 4-2-5 American football defense can be challenging but very beneficial for your team. Here’s our ultimate guide on how to set up a 4-2-5 defense.

thechamplair.com

 

[TMFT]

I’ll be happy if people learn that RPOs and read options aren’t the same thing.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

I’ll be happy if people learn that RPOs and read options aren’t the same thing.

Thank you. I agree.

 

[Univee2]

We must get our fan base completely up to speed in regard to what's happening on the Football field...

We need to reach the ultra-pain in the a-- level of fan knowledge that drives Refs to drink when they visit Assembly Hall to call a basketball game...

In the spirit of reaching that level of Football Knowledge for All INDIANA Football Fans I give you these baseline level tutorials:

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My bride just wants to know : “Why ten yards for a first down?”

I don’t watch football with her around . . .

 

[Rattmouse]

I’ll settle for “False Start” isn’t Traveling. Despite what the referee might be signaling.

 

[vesuvius13]

My bride just wants to know : “Why ten yards for a first down?”

I don’t watch football with her around . . .

My wife got into IUFB this year for the first time, she got into my high school games when I coached but wasn't interested in any other football until this Fall.

 

[Harry Hondo]

We must get our fan base completely up to speed in regard to what's happening on the Football field...

We need to reach the ultra-pain in the a-- level of fan knowledge that drives Refs to drink when they visit Assembly Hall to call a basketball game...

In the spirit of reaching that level of Football Knowledge for All INDIANA Football Fans I give you these baseline level tutorials:

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“We’re back!”

Remember that during the Crean era? I know IU football has never been “there” and this is why I’m posting this. Let’s at least wait to see how we do next season before classifying us as a national power. I love Cignetti and think he’s a great coach, however it’s still going to be a big challenge breaking into the national power conversation just because of our history. IU is not getting the 4-5 star recruits that is needed and likely never will get enough. The OSU dominance, and our lack of competing with ND in the CFP, underscores for me just how big of a climb there is to go.

I’m optimistic and realistic.

 

[IUgradman]

“We’re back!”

Remember that during the Crean era? I know IU football has never been “there” and this is why I’m posting this. Let’s at least wait to see how we do next season before classifying us as a national power. I love Cignetti and think he’s a great coach, however it’s still going to be a big challenge breaking into the national power conversation just because of our history. IU is not getting the 4-5 star recruits that is needed and likely never will get enough. The OSU dominance, and our lack of competing with ND in the CFP, underscores for me just how big of a climb there is to go.

I’m optimistic and realistic.

Let’s see how the 2026 recruiting class goes before saying IU can’t compete with the big dogs.

 

[76-1]

Let’s see how the 2026 recruiting class goes before saying IU can’t compete with the big dogs.

That was "tongue in cheek" humor fellas... Guess I should have thrown in a "wink" emoji next to that... I, personally, won't consider us a true "National Power" until we start beating the P$U's, Oregon's and "the" Ohio $$tate's a couple of times in a row, have been to the Playoffs 3 consecutive years and have progressed further each time (I'm a hard grader 😉)...😎

I'll go add that emoji now...

 

[BusdriverE]

I understand the underlying sarcasm as well as the implied enthusiasm…..I balance that by looking at our schedule last yr and not seeing any top 15 teams except 1 that we played like we have for the past 10 yrs when we typically play 4

 

[vesuvius13]

I understand the underlying sarcasm as well as the implied enthusiasm…..I balance that by looking at our schedule last yr and not seeing any top 15 teams except 1 that we played like we have for the past 10 yrs when we typically play 4

Last season, people would have said Michigan, Nebraska, UCLA, and Washington were good. It was just the way IU beat them that they were seen as disappointing. IU Nebraska then they went and played OSU the next week that showed the disparity between IU and OSU unfortunately for IU Rourke had his injury before OSU.

 

[BusdriverE]

I agree that those were good teams, just not top 15 when we played them. Go back and look at our schedule last 5 yrs before this one and what do your see? Michigan, OSU, PS, sometimes MSU and Iowa or Wisky thrown in there from the west conference, and they were all in top 15 at time we played them

 

[76-1]

I agree that those were good teams, just not top 15 when we played them. Go back and look at our schedule last 5 yrs before this one and what do your see? Michigan, OSU, PS, sometimes MSU and Iowa or Wisky thrown in there from the west conference, and they were all in top 15 at time we played them

I thought you were still on vacation in Wyoming Kirk...? (Herbstreit)...

Don't waste time on here, go ski Lone Mountain or Jackson Hole and while you're out there stop in and say hello to my friends at Teton Mountaineering... 😉

 

[BusdriverE]

All I’m saying is yes , we had a fantastic yr and am very excited about the future, just think we caught a bit of a break on our schedule and expect it to be a bit tougher going forward and hopefully we can build upon last yr and get better talent to win the games we struggled with in yrs past

 

[OpenWheels]

Sure 'national power' is tongue in cheek. But Coach Cig said it first. Just gotta support Coach!

 

[hoosier roadtrips]

My bride just wants to know : “Why ten yards for a first down?”

I don’t watch football with her around . . .

Does she get alarmed about tornadoes every time someone calls a touchdown?

 

[CG Paul]

Sure 'national power' is tongue in cheek. But Coach Cig said it first. Just gotta support Coach!

He actually said, “emerging national power”, but yeah, he said it first.🙂

 

[red hornet]

He actually said, “emerging national power”, but yeah, he said it first.🙂

Cignetti is dead serious about his comment. "We're not satisfied"!

 

[Irregulars]

Cignetti is dead serious about his comment. "We're not satisfied"!

Cig keeps this winning thing going and his portal success in high gear the university is going to have to set up a permanent location and venue for ESPN Game Day because they will be back and often.

 

[vesuvius13]

Cig keeps this winning thing going and his portal success in high gear the university is going to have to set up a permanent location and venue for ESPN Game Day because they will be back and often.

That would be very good thing for IU to do and one day it can be used for Bball too but it will be football driven.

 

[OpenWheels]

He actually said, “emerging national power”, but yeah, he said it first.🙂

Yeah, but that was a couple months ago.

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

History will mean zero with 2 more studs on each side of the LOS which will add needed strength to rotational depth. I'd also add a dynamic kick return specialist would bring increased attention and energy to the program impacting recruiting. Schedules and injuries be damned. Shoulder up and hit it.

 

[76-1]

History will mean zero with 2 more studs on each side of the LOS which will add needed strength to rotational depth. I'd also add a dynamic kick return specialist would bring increased attention and energy to the program impacting recruiting. Schedules and injuries be damned. Shoulder up and hit it.

I like your thinking...

I'm with you on everything but the "dynamic kick return specialist"... If it were my call I'd try to find the most dependable (in fielding the football) great hands, nerves of steel, guy already in the roster and if he doesn't exist then go out and find one... (to be our designated Returner).

In my mind, returning Kickoffs is a fools errand these days simply because by simply letting the ball go out of the end zone or downing it starts you at your 25...

Last season the top 5 KR's averaged (1) 27, (2) 26 and (3) 26, (4) 25, and (5) 25... Everyone below that averaged less than 25...
Number 25 averaged 19 yards per Kick Return and we weren't in the top 25...

Once again in my mind, 4 things can happen on a Kick Return and 3 of them are Bad: you can field the ball and get tackled short of the 25; you can fieid it get tackled and cough it up (fumble); you can field it, have a great looking return going and then get called for a penalty (holding, block in the the back, etc...) These are also the easiest of penalties that a ref can call (and blow accidentally or purposely)...

Based on all the above, returning Kickoffs just doesn't make much sense unless you've identified the oppositions Special Teams Kickoff coverage as the worst in the country who can't tackle and are slower than molasses...; then..., maybe..., a return might be in order...

Now Punt Returns are a different story... You want to return most punts if possible (if you can field it outside your 9).

In my opinion, the best guy to put back there is a Defensive Back who is a great open field tackler who also has great hands, nerves of steel, great judgment and field awareness and has little twitch along with a couple of great moves... Great Tacklers can save you if the opponent runs a fake punt and all the other attributes are self explanatory...