While there definitely is more optimism around the program than there's been in a long, long while, (longer than I've been alive, granted, that only stretches back to the mid-90s), I do worry about myself and the fanbase in general keeping perspective on where this program actually is. There's no doubt that Allen is and has been building something special, but there's also no doubt that Indiana (as in every year since the divisions were created) plays in, at worst, the 2nd most difficult division in college football. Add to that a difficult crossover game to open the year, a brutal spotlight game against Cincy no one saw coming when it was scheduled, and a road game at Western Kentucky (which I personally think is trickier and more dangerous than people have given it credit for), and you've got a schedule full of potential losses and/or chances for the team to hit a run of bad form.
Additionally, I think you could reasonably argue that Indiana skipped a couple steps in program growth the past few years, going from a fringe bowl/5-7 program to a top 25 team to a top 10 team in just a couple years is not at all the typical trendline of a CFB program, particularly one bereft of any real history, and that we are due for a speed bump or setback on some level. Program development is rarely, if ever, linear and especially is not normally this steep. I've seen some people here, and in the general IU fan online spaces, claim that 9-3 or 10-2 should be the floor and that less would a disappointment. While I understand that feeling, after all who wants to be reserved when everything is still there for the taking, I don't think it is especially fair.
The most important thing for the program right now still should be solidifying its position as a consistent bowl program and somewhere in the middle-tier of the conference. After all, we are only two seasons removed from staying home for the winter in back to back seasons. Solidifying the ground underneath us, and establishing a new floor, is far more important in my opinion than hitting or raising our ceiling. Especially when it comes to developing the fanbase; while years like last year are fun, no doubt, they'll mean little in the long run if they become a flash in the pan. But if Indiana can build a consistent, competitive 7-5 or 8-4 as our floor, well, with time, more and more people will be drawn in and become less fair-weather, and greater fan support can only help build to greater things in the future.
With that in mind, and considering the difficulty of the road in front of us, I'd argue that seven wins, with or without one of them being a bowl game, is a successful year for the program. Sure, it won't take us to Pasadena, but it will continue to establish IU as a competent football program that is here to be competitive and solid. And that, in my opinion, is what the goal should continue to be. (That being said, anything beyond 7-5 or 7-6 would still be wonderful and is by no stretch of the imagination improbable or unlikely.)
Additionally, I think you could reasonably argue that Indiana skipped a couple steps in program growth the past few years, going from a fringe bowl/5-7 program to a top 25 team to a top 10 team in just a couple years is not at all the typical trendline of a CFB program, particularly one bereft of any real history, and that we are due for a speed bump or setback on some level. Program development is rarely, if ever, linear and especially is not normally this steep. I've seen some people here, and in the general IU fan online spaces, claim that 9-3 or 10-2 should be the floor and that less would a disappointment. While I understand that feeling, after all who wants to be reserved when everything is still there for the taking, I don't think it is especially fair.
The most important thing for the program right now still should be solidifying its position as a consistent bowl program and somewhere in the middle-tier of the conference. After all, we are only two seasons removed from staying home for the winter in back to back seasons. Solidifying the ground underneath us, and establishing a new floor, is far more important in my opinion than hitting or raising our ceiling. Especially when it comes to developing the fanbase; while years like last year are fun, no doubt, they'll mean little in the long run if they become a flash in the pan. But if Indiana can build a consistent, competitive 7-5 or 8-4 as our floor, well, with time, more and more people will be drawn in and become less fair-weather, and greater fan support can only help build to greater things in the future.
With that in mind, and considering the difficulty of the road in front of us, I'd argue that seven wins, with or without one of them being a bowl game, is a successful year for the program. Sure, it won't take us to Pasadena, but it will continue to establish IU as a competent football program that is here to be competitive and solid. And that, in my opinion, is what the goal should continue to be. (That being said, anything beyond 7-5 or 7-6 would still be wonderful and is by no stretch of the imagination improbable or unlikely.)
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