Go to the BB forum. There are still lots of people over there expecting a natty after 40 years since the last one. 🥹

For me, I am very happy with last season and will always treasure it. I do have high expectations for next year, especially given the portal class and the coaches we have. However, I also realize how special that run was and it is unlikely to happen again. And even if it does, it will not be the FIRST time and the unbelievable surprise of it all. 

@walt542 Much like last year, I think we've got a legit chance to be a better overall team...but almost certainly won't duplicate the results. Too many things have to go perfectly. But I'm pretty damn confident Cig has his eyes on exactly that.

We've got what looks to be a pretty darn good team, we're in a bucket of about four teams with the best odds to win it all.

But, we've got a lot of new guys.  So I sure as heck don't really know what the team will be like.

My guess is we won't be as good as last year, but still good enough to compete for the conference and win CFP games.  That would be great.

At the end of the day, I just like seeing our teams play well and close to their potential.  Beyond that, what happens, happens.  No one wins the title every year, so I definitely don't expect that.  And last year's win will take the edge off any disappointments for some time for me.

What matters is the actual people in our program have sky high expectations.  So, I'm sure they'll be pushing as hard as ever to have another strong season.

I'm always hoping for another one.  I think it has (or should) raise expectations but expectation shouldn't be championship or bust.

We used to be happy with a winning season and bowl.  I think 9-10 wins is becoming the floor for expectations now and I hope we make the playoffs annually like we made NCAA tourneys under Knight.

@hurryinghoosiers I vividly remember Cig scoffing at a question on how could he possibly duplicate year one's results. He said (with a very straight face) "that wasn't the expectation. We fell short" or something to that effect. I also remember thinking "look at the balls on this guy!" He was right and he wasn't even a little bit shy about saying so.

Posted by: @bucketgetter

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@hurryinghoosiers I vividly remember Cig scoffing at a question on how could he possibly duplicate year one's results. He said (with a very straight face) "that wasn't the expectation. We fell short" or something to that effect. I also remember thinking "look at the balls on this guy!" He was right and he wasn't even a little bit shy about saying so.

This is true, but did you see the podcast with McElroy? He went to great length there to talk about the fact that there are a lot of teams trying to get there and sometimes you reach your potential and do not have as good a season, etc. I am paraphrasing him but this was in response to McElroy's question about their championship when they were together at Alabama and the next year was not so good. Cig was very realistic.

 

@walt542 Just another side benefit of hiring a very experienced 60+ year old coach.

We have the best coaching staff in the country, one of the best rosters in the country. Our schedule isnt easy but its also not THAT hard. If we go 10-2, I would be perfectly satisfied. 9-3 I would be OK with but a little bummed. Anything lower than that would be very disappointing. We wont have this coaching staff together indefinitely, its rare to keep so many position and coordinators year over year when you have had the success we have had. We also have a lot of seniors who have no more eligibility after this season, so it would feel like a wasted opportunity

OSU, Michigan, USC are the only 3 teams who have similar talent to us next year. We are a step above Washington and Nebraska in talent but on the road against them so that evens out a bit. Anyone who would be satisfied with 8-4 is basically saying they are cool with us losing all of the big games.

Edit: The B1G also needs to stop screwing us with these schedules... Last year only 1/4 tough games was at home (Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, PSU), next year we get OSU at home but have to go to Michigan, USC, Nebraska, Washington. Would be nice to have more of these big games at home.

1) I think this team has the opportunity to be a better team.  That doesn't necessarily translate to another undefeated season.

2) For all the hungry veterans that came with something to prove that are now gone, I think there are plenty of guys who have been around Cig & his program expectations.  I mean, they're all still kids and who knows how they'll react to success, but I think there's leadership out there still to keep the guys motivated.

3) I like the schedule overall.  I like the late bye to prepare for a postseason run again.  Although I wish it were a week earlier because I don't like that last three weeks before the bye with OSU, @ Mich, & Minnesota.  Especially with those coming on the heels of two long road trips to Rutgers & Nebraska.

4) I think the biggest thing for the team is going to be staying healthy.  Cig was pretty open during the year that we were thin at multiple positions.  We had starters playing special teams all season.  We were VERY fortunate that Daley was able to be so great after Wyatt went down.  And that Ndukwe & Landino were able to step up when Daley got hurt.  But I don't think we have that at all positions.  If injuries stay relatively mundane I think the team has a good chance to make another strong playoff push.

5) Starting the year with a high ranking is a huge advantage.  You don't want to pencil in any losses, but if you start with a top 3 ranking, a "good" loss leaves you in the top 8.  A "bad" loss leaves you in the top 12 (unless it's a "get blown out by Howard" level of bad).  Which is to say that starting high gives you a lot more leeway in not necessarily having to run the table.

6) At the end of the day, it's college kids playing a game.  So I'm just having fun being a part of it.

I think its easier to keep a team winning year after year, even when turning over your roster is vastly more realistic than it was in the past. 

For obvious reasons, you can acquire great talent to replace those who have left.  Not only that, the large influx of starters we are getting from the portal didn't win a title last year.  That hunger you need to manufacture for teams returning fat cats, isn't as large a hurdle to overcome as it was before. I think we have a mix of a championship culture, top talent and hunger to achieve something that a lot of them have yet to do, allows Cig to get more out of a defending national championship team than others often can.

You can't win it all if you don't make the CFP.    I don't think we repeat, but I want us in the playoffs and then whatever happens, happens. That's where my head is at this moment, anyway.

You can never do something for the first time again.  We could go 16-0 again next year and it can't possibly top this season.

Good question @evanalvarez8. For me the expectations don't really change.

1) Make the Postseason

2) Win your home games

3) Beat your rivals

I think this team can finish in the Top 10 again and make the Playoff. 

Man, I miss football

@hoosierdaddy IU plays USC at home.