Our team is in new territory. We blew a bowl game - lost Ramsey, Cronk, Westbrook and Hale - then Covid - then got a PSU "ugly win" upset and now an only- slightly smoother win at Rutgers.
We clearly have not played "well" yet. (Remember when Penix hit 20 straight passes last year against MSU?)
Last year, we dominated Eastern Illinois, beat a bad UConn, beat a bad Rutgers badly, and beat a weakened, injured NW.
The rest were tough and close - or we got thumped.
Last year, we got 91 rushing yards against Penn State. This year - 41.
Last year we got 42 against Ohio State, 70 against Michigan State, 97 against Michigan and 76 against Tennessee.
Those were our losses.
Last year, we got 260 rushing against Rutgers. This year - 105.
We're living off our defense.
Indiana.
Playing defense.
Roll that over in your head a little.
The mental reactions of both teams to current circumstances will be huge.
The Michigan fanbase is now in turmoil - split between "fire him" and "he's our Michigan Man."
Don't know if the team is in turmoil.
If Michigan recovers and we get the big head, we get blown.
We get less than 100 rushing - we lose.
If Michigan starts to hate practice, and we come together even more, improve again, we win.
If both teams improve, IU keeps being "must see TV" - and big plays decide it.
Overall, however, I look at this as a year-long enhanced practice.
I try and keep our guys together - see how many guys will come back in 2021 and REALLY blow thelid off something.
We have 10 guys who - but for Covid - would complete their eligibility and COULD come back if they wanted. (Swann, Ball, Jerome Johnson, Nworah, Powell, Crider, Fryfogle, Layne, Whop, Ziemba).
Imagine if they all came back ....
Also, I hope all of college football does a re-set, and gets back to COLLEGE football.
I'm OK with a free transfer if your coach leaves before or after your first year.
After than - we gotta protect the programs - or Bama, Clemson and Ohio State will dominate forever.
No more 5th year transfers.
Injury can get you another year.
Then it's go pro - stay at your school for a Master's program - or go start your career.
Coaches need to know who they have back, have many spots they have.
Waiting until the NFL rejects somebody, then pulling an offer from a high school kid to get somebody back?
THAT is not what this should be about.
Beat Michigan.
We clearly have not played "well" yet. (Remember when Penix hit 20 straight passes last year against MSU?)
Last year, we dominated Eastern Illinois, beat a bad UConn, beat a bad Rutgers badly, and beat a weakened, injured NW.
The rest were tough and close - or we got thumped.
Last year, we got 91 rushing yards against Penn State. This year - 41.
Last year we got 42 against Ohio State, 70 against Michigan State, 97 against Michigan and 76 against Tennessee.
Those were our losses.
Last year, we got 260 rushing against Rutgers. This year - 105.
We're living off our defense.
Indiana.
Playing defense.
Roll that over in your head a little.
The mental reactions of both teams to current circumstances will be huge.
The Michigan fanbase is now in turmoil - split between "fire him" and "he's our Michigan Man."
Don't know if the team is in turmoil.
If Michigan recovers and we get the big head, we get blown.
We get less than 100 rushing - we lose.
If Michigan starts to hate practice, and we come together even more, improve again, we win.
If both teams improve, IU keeps being "must see TV" - and big plays decide it.
Overall, however, I look at this as a year-long enhanced practice.
I try and keep our guys together - see how many guys will come back in 2021 and REALLY blow thelid off something.
We have 10 guys who - but for Covid - would complete their eligibility and COULD come back if they wanted. (Swann, Ball, Jerome Johnson, Nworah, Powell, Crider, Fryfogle, Layne, Whop, Ziemba).
Imagine if they all came back ....
Also, I hope all of college football does a re-set, and gets back to COLLEGE football.
I'm OK with a free transfer if your coach leaves before or after your first year.
After than - we gotta protect the programs - or Bama, Clemson and Ohio State will dominate forever.
No more 5th year transfers.
Injury can get you another year.
Then it's go pro - stay at your school for a Master's program - or go start your career.
Coaches need to know who they have back, have many spots they have.
Waiting until the NFL rejects somebody, then pulling an offer from a high school kid to get somebody back?
THAT is not what this should be about.
Beat Michigan.