2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff-101 Days (Top Storylines of '24)

Disclaimer: We are not intending to promote tobacco products

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle) 

The time has finally arrived to kickoff Hoosier Huddle’s Countdown to IUFB Kickoff series. Each summer we take Hoosier fans through the roster by profiling one or two members of the IU football team for the upcoming season. This year there are plenty of new faces so make sure you bookmark and read them all.

We will start with 101 days and the top storylines for the Hoosiers entering the 2024 football season. One that is filled with enthusiasm and hope in Bloomington under new head coach Curt Cignetti.

Top Storylines

1. New Head Man with a New Standard

The top storyline of the 2024 season for the Hoosiers is the arrival of Curt Cignetti and the standard he is bringing to Bloomingtonn. He said it in his introductory press conference. 

“We're going to change the culture, the mindset, the expectation level, and improve the brand of Indiana Hoosier football. There will be no self-imposed limitations on what we can accomplish. It will be a day-by-day process that is hinged on being focused on the present moment and improving as much daily as possible to put yourself in the best position tomorrow.” Cignetti said with bravado.

Cignetti does not have a losing season to his name while the Hoosiers have over 700 total losses. Something has to give. He has a plan and knows what it takes to execute that plan. The question is, can it be done at the Big Ten level?

2. Eight Home Games

For the first time since 2013, the Hoosiers will host eight games at Memorial Stadium. This should help set Curt Cignetti’s team up for success in his first season. The Hoosiers host all three non-conference games and then five Big Ten games including swing games against Maryland, Nebraska, Washington and Purdue. A winning record at home would almost ensure a postseason berth for the Hoosiers.

The home slate also features both of the College Football Playoff finalists in Michigan and Washington as well as non-conference games against FIU, Western Illinois and Charlotte.

Fans get scoop up IUFB tickets from SeatGeek and first time customers get $20 off their first purchase with the code: HOOSIERHUDDLE

3. New Opponents

With the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams in 2024, the Hoosiers will have some new opponents on the schedule in Washington and UCLA. The trip to the Rose Bowl on September 14th will be a much anticipated road trip for fans while Washington was the national runner up in 2023.

While those two teams are the marquee names, IU will play a new opponent in Charlotte and Western Illinois.

4. Bucket Battle in Bloomington

The Hoosiers are looking for their first win in the Old Oaken Bucket series since 2019. The Hoosiers have only hosted Purdue once since 2018 and have not defeated the Boilers at home since 2016. The Bucket Game is vital for the health of IU football and a great way to build the culture of college football in Bloomington even if the game is Thanksgiving weekend (Purdue has no problem showing up in West Lafayette). New head man Curt Cignetti poured some gas on the fire in this rivalry by declaring ‘Purdue Sucks’ in his first public appearance at Assembly Hall.

5. A Whole New Team…Basically

IU had 39 players leave via the NCAA transfer portal after the 2023 season saw the end of the Tom Allen Era. That’s almost half the roster and it is more when you factor in the players who exhausted their eligibility. The good news for the Hoosiers is that they brought in 29 transfers, not including Carter Smith and Donaven McCulley), along with a 16-member freshman signing class. There will be so many new and impactful players in Bloomington this fall and that is not a bad thing after IU went 9-27 over the last three seasons.

6. Gameday Enhancements with Levy

Indiana athletics has outsourced their game day operations to Levy, who looks to take the game day experience to new heights. IU has sorely needed a revamping of this area of game day. There is some buzz surrounding the Hoosiers with Curt Cignetti taking over and improving this area should help make Saturdays more enjoyable for the fans.

Here is what IU can expect to see in Memorial Stadium this fall.

“Indiana is one of the most respected brands in college sports, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner together in shaping the next era of fan experiences for the Cream & Crimson,” said Levy CEO Andy Lansing. “From the local go-to restaurants students and alumni treasure, to Hoosier traditions on the plate, we’re going to bring IU fans a food and beverage experience that represents what makes Bloomington special.”

7. An ‘Unprecedented Investment’ in Football

There have been plenty of changes around the football program since the final gun sounded at the 2023 Bucket Game. IU bought out head coach Tom Allen for about $15 million and brought in one of the best Group of Five head coaches in Curt Cignetii. That’s not all though.

IU has won some NIL recruiting battles for high impact players. IU has also started the process of replacing the field inside Mellencamp Pavilion and renovating the weight room and updating the equipment. There are many more items on IU’s to-do list including the press box, but the commitment is tangible and seems to be moving in the right direction. Indiana AD Scott Dolson talked at length about the football program with the Hoosier Hysterics this spring. 

8.  12- Team Playoff

While this is not IUFB specific, the 12-team playoff will be an inescapable topic all season. Personally, I am not a fan of trying to make college football into college basketball but I cannot control that. IU will have an impact on the playoff as they will face some contenders from the Big Ten. Just get ready to have this shoved in your face all season.

9. General Uncertainties with College Football

College sports are changing and changing at warp speed. This too will be shoved down the throat of the fans to the point of exhaustion. When games start it will still be the background of the sport as many lawsuits could get sorted out by the end of the year. Fans are tired of the changes. They are tired of the money grabs, but this is the situation that is engulfing college sports in 2024.