I always argue for a good OOC game. But thats only because I like to watch football, even in the years we stunk. Always have enjoyed when IU played Mizzou, Kentucky, Cincinnatti, Louisville. Envy some teams that have a power OOC game early. Doesnt help the loser except that its early and may overcome it.
But I dont mind our schedule. The Big Ten is a grind. We dont need to get beat up early.
I wish one of our cupcakes could be scheduled later though for that reason. I think that benefits the SEC.
Cupcakes got us pretty sharp to annihilate Illinois and win a close game in a tough road environment. And we started well in conference last year. I’m not seeing a prep issue.
Well, we should ask our home crowd to make as much noise as they can during our possessions, if its to be good prep.
but what if we win. See. That's the new IU. Need to break from that mentality. And I know where you're coming from ... show me first build momentum. But darn if cig is as good as he says why is he afraid to play the bigger dogs ? We are talking about 1 game not all 3
Well, we should ask our home crowd to make as much noise as they can during our possessions, if its to be good prep.
Maybe if our speaker system got updated, it could be used to simulare crowd noise in practice.
Alternatively they could get the entire team ear buds and create noise that way
I dont think they should make a big deal about the noise, in practice. Players are afraid of it then or think about it, when clearly they need to be thinking about their blocking technique.
but what if we win. See. That's the new IU. Need to break from that mentality. And I know where you're coming from ... show me first build momentum. But darn if cig is as good as he says why is he afraid to play the bigger dogs ? We are talking about 1 game not all 3
Afraid? Dear lord! Are you even serious? Really can’t stop yourself can you?
Paul Finebaum would do everything he could to lobby for a 4 loss Alabama team to make the playoffs. He genuinely believes that SEC teams with more than 2 losses are better than Big10 teams with less than that.
@tammany Whistling through the graveyard if you feel good about Iowa. We were outplayed for a big portion of that game, and needed the incredible start, probably the conference's (country's?) best kicker to miss a very makeable field goal and their QB to get injured to win that one. That should have been a loss. I give all the credit in the world to the players for hanging in there in a tough environment, not relenting and keeping at it, but that win was as least as much about luck as it was our play, and I don't think that's where we want to be. It largely depends on what other teams do, but I think it's likely we need to split with OR and PSU. If we lose both of those games badly, I think the powers that be will want to leave us out, especially if the choice is a 2 win UM or ND squad or another top tier program, and then it comes down to did other teams do enough to give them that opportunity.
@kkott We didn’t play well and still outgained Iowa by 100 yards in a very hostile road environment. We didn’t have one of, if not our best, defender. Our DL was great vs an elite OL. We didn’t deserve to lose, what an absurd statement.
Per the betting odds we don’t need to split Oregon and PSU. We do need to play them competitively.
The negative spin is tiring, but if you want to do that it’s a free country. We’ll probably struggle at Oregon, and playing a P4 in the non-con this year would not have made any difference. The issue will be their well coached elite talent that costs 2x what we pay our roster.
@tammany Whistling through the graveyard if you feel good about Iowa. We were outplayed for a big portion of that game, and needed the incredible start, probably the conference's (country's?) best kicker to miss a very makeable field goal and their QB to get injured to win that one. That should have been a loss. I give all the credit in the world to the players for hanging in there in a tough environment, not relenting and keeping at it, but that win was as least as much about luck as it was our play, and I don't think that's where we want to be. It largely depends on what other teams do, but I think it's likely we need to split with OR and PSU. If we lose both of those games badly, I think the powers that be will want to leave us out, especially if the choice is a 2 win UM or ND squad or another top tier program, and then it comes down to did other teams do enough to give them that opportunity.
You're making me question your ball knowledge now.
sorry bud , but using that line on everyone you disagree with.... maybe you're the one with a lack of ball knowledge....
@tammany Like I said, I think you're overlooking a LOT of events that would have allowed IA to win that game. I think they win it, just if their QB doesn't get hurt and he's in there to help get that first down and run the clock out. We scored in what, the first 2 minutes, and also got gifted a FG at the end of the half with that penalty? Like I said, I give all the credit in the world to the players for continuing to hang in there and give themselves a chance to win, and then making those plays, but yeah, I thought we were getting beat. IA controlled the style of play and had the game in their control, but their backup QB couldn't get them the first down they needed.
Good teams can win not playing their best, and that's certainly what this was.
@gros-louis well reasoned argument and excellent support for your counterpoints.
So, with 3 minutes to go after that interception, you felt great about us winning that game? I question if some of you watched that game, or remember your feelings before they missed that kick. I was watching with another IU fan and I had to talk him off the ledge and remind him even with a good kicker, a 40 yarder with the game on the line isn't a gimme in college. I credit us for being in position to win, but that easily could have been an L.