After some time to come up with a more reasoned response I would define the KW era by the "Almosts."
- Got Gunner Kiel to look at us, but couldn't hold him.
- Best stretch of recruiting in IU history (but a lot of the shine is gone from those classes mostly because of self-inflicted mistakes - Kenney, Allen, etc)
- One of the best QB, RB, and WRs at their respective positions (Sudfeld, Coleman, and Latimer) happened to coincide with one of the worst stretches of defensive play, even for IU. Thus no bowl games.
- And the "almost" losses - In 2012 - Ball State and Navy; 2013 - Navy and Minnesota; 2014 - Bowling Green and Penn State and of course 2015 - Rutgers
Wilson has raised the bar and changed the trajectory of the program from when he took over but he just can't seem to drag this team over the hump. IU has to beat Maryland and Purdue and could also scare one of the other teams where they'll be the underdog. But last Saturday is one of those losses that can get you fired and to say that it's Bowl or Bust seems like an understatement for him, which is interesting when you contrast this feeling with the climate of the board after the loss to Ohio State.
- Got Gunner Kiel to look at us, but couldn't hold him.
- Best stretch of recruiting in IU history (but a lot of the shine is gone from those classes mostly because of self-inflicted mistakes - Kenney, Allen, etc)
- One of the best QB, RB, and WRs at their respective positions (Sudfeld, Coleman, and Latimer) happened to coincide with one of the worst stretches of defensive play, even for IU. Thus no bowl games.
- And the "almost" losses - In 2012 - Ball State and Navy; 2013 - Navy and Minnesota; 2014 - Bowling Green and Penn State and of course 2015 - Rutgers
Wilson has raised the bar and changed the trajectory of the program from when he took over but he just can't seem to drag this team over the hump. IU has to beat Maryland and Purdue and could also scare one of the other teams where they'll be the underdog. But last Saturday is one of those losses that can get you fired and to say that it's Bowl or Bust seems like an understatement for him, which is interesting when you contrast this feeling with the climate of the board after the loss to Ohio State.
