There’s nearly a week until the next iubb game, so let’s put out a request for Indiana Football mailbag questions. Send your questions and we’ll answer them later in the week.
Post questions here?
- What newcomers, freshmen and transfers are you expecting to have the biggest impact this year? Who would be your Charlie Becker Surprise Contributor of the Year nominees?
- Do you foresee any changes to the offense next year with new personnel? Are Hoover's skills/style similar to Fernando's?
- Biggest positions of concern for next year?
Can we beat PU this year by more than 66 points?
How good can the 2026 team be? Are a conference championship and playoff berth realistic achievements?
How good can the 2026 team be? Are a conference championship and playoff berth realistic achievements?
If Hoover plays at a level somewhere between Rourke and Mendoza, this team will challenge for another national championship.
Could someone explain the rule basis for the no call on Curry’s hit on Mendoza early in B1G championship game, the helmet to chin hit on Mendoza early in the NATTY, and Landino’s hit late in the NATTY?
Curry's hit was clean as a whistle IMOCould someone explain the rule basis for the no call on Curry’s hit on Mendoza early in B1G championship game, the helmet to chin hit on Mendoza early in the NATTY, and Landino’s hit late in the NATTY?
Ill watch it again, but at the time, I not only saw it as dirty, but dirty, on purpose.Curry's hit was clean as a whistle IMOCould someone explain the rule basis for the no call on Curry’s hit on Mendoza early in B1G championship game, the helmet to chin hit on Mendoza early in the NATTY, and Landino’s hit late in the NATTY?
They were clearly trying to push the boundaries in order to rough Mendoza up. It looked like the early game plan.
Sigh, NVM, I thought the post was talking hits in the same game. I thought Curry's could have been called as late, but often or even usually isn't. Just a big solid hit.
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Curry's hit was clean as a whistle IMOCould someone explain the rule basis for the no call on Curry’s hit on Mendoza early in B1G championship game, the helmet to chin hit on Mendoza early in the NATTY, and Landino’s hit late in the NATTY?
I agree. Wasn’t late and wasn’t to the head or neck.
To me, that's bizarre. In what way is a blow to the chin by the helmet, not counted as part of the head? What a loophole! Aim for the mouth guys!
NVM! - I am talking about a different hit. I misunderstood the mixing of the two different games...
Curry's in the big ten title game was tough, but not late enough where I would call it either. I thought Landino's in the CFP title game is sometimes called, but, the reason they shouldn't have called it is they let worse go all game on hits against us, then on THE BIG DRIVE they call that?
Jakobe Thomas' hit was the one I meant. Early in the CFP title game. A simple chuck after the handoff, but he got Mendoza in the chin. Helmet to chin got his mouth bleeding. And I felt it was a clear flag because it was only meant to rough up Mendoza, it wasn't bang-bang.
I'll be recording this podcast today. Thanks for the questions
@openwheel I thought the Curry hit was late because Mendoza was out in space and it was very clear that Curry saw him release the ball before he initiated contact. It wasn’t in the pocket where he was just brawling to get to the QB and timed it poorly. He released it and Curry saw it plain as day before lower his shoulder. Have I seen worse? Sure, but I thought the intent was clear to throw that flag.
How good can the 2026 team be? Are a conference championship and playoff berth realistic achievements?
If Hoover plays at a level somewhere between Rourke and Mendoza, this team will challenge for another national championship.
I actually think Hoover is more accomplished than Rourke and Mendoza were before coming to IU.
Rourke won and put up good numbers but at a lower level. Mendoza had a losing record starter and never threw for more than 16 TDs in a season. Hoover is 19-12 as a starter at the P4 level and put up big numbers. He is the nation’s leading returning passer.