Hoosier987

Doesn’t sound like Ponds is going to play today.

I mean….what can be said!? A complete dominating game. Let’s go!

Yup and from all accounts we have a superb OL...which as we all know, plays a huge role in the running game

That sucks. I hope he makes a full recovery. Fortunately, we have the depth to take this hit. Black + Hemby with Martin as a backup option is still a dynamite backfield.

I found this. Obviously, analyzing from video. he has 220k followers so I don’t think he is some sort of one off. He thinks it’s a PCL sprain.

How did he get injured? I didn’t see it. I hope he’s OK. He runs with aggression. Love it.

Yup. Despite ISU being a FCS foe, we beat them so badly we moved up another 6 spots in ESPN FPI. Beatdowns = great metrics.

Good news that our conference games are selling out. Hopefully non conference follows…didn’t realize there was a significant price increase for non conference

I live in a completely different region of the country, else I would…but I was a student during the meager Bill Lynch years and still attended most games during my 4 years at IU. It shouldn’t be difficult to fill a stadium for a top 25 IU football team with NFL prospects on both sides of the ball.

I got to say, I’m a bit disappointed that we still have so many empty seats. I don’t understand why we can’t get people In the stands for a full game. Maybe it was an early game? But then again, there’s plenty of other teams that have capacity crowds at early games against lesser competition. We need to do better showing up. We have a top 5 coach in the game. Let’s go!

ESPN's FPI model liked our 56-9 win over Kennesaw State. Hoosiers moved up 14 spots to No. 16. Amazing Woodson never understood the concept of blowing out bad teams = good for metrics.

I think we're favored by 36. Maybe it's just me...but when we play teams with such a large spread...I like to cover. That's the baseline. I'm happy with a win...but I want to cover this week. That's one of the metrics I used last year. I knew we were a great team when we covered the majority of our games.

At least Mendoza recognized he had a poor performance for his standard. Assuming we Fix the horrendous red zone play calling, a lot will ride on Mendoza regarding how successful our season is…We have experience, a good O line, our defense (despite 2 missed assignments) should be stout and we appear to have a very good backfield - minus the fumble, I thought all 3 backs looked good. That leads everything to qb play. Mendoza is the key here…and I think he knows this. Hopefully, it’s a 1 game sub standard play and flushed it out of his system. Eager for next week…to see how his accuracy, footwork and decision making are…even if it’s against a weaker opponent. More reps should help.

Maybe hype was part of the issue? Certainly didn’t look anywhere near an NFL qb let alone a first rounder like the hype has been. Again, first game…hopefully he improves.

This was a big issue. Need to see major improvement in this area.

I was thinking the same thing. Really hope this was just a bad Mendoza game.

A lot left to be desired. Goal line play calling was bad and jury still out on Mendoza…but he didn’t look like he is in the same sphere Rourke was in. Hopefully we see improvement next week.

Hemby looks good. Play calling at goal line bad. Mendoza no where near Rourke level. Hopefully he adjusts but seems like he’s got some work to do

Terrible playing calling on the goal line

How good is our next opponent, Mega Superbet?

Mendoza hype seems to be gaining some traction of late, as seen in ESPN article and other recent ones...Fortunately, he looks focused and poised to have a breakout season...it also helps to have a strong wide receive corps like we do :)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/45719770/2026-nfl-draft-top-pick-predictions-early-chances-tj-parker-garrett-nussmeier Mendoza listed as # 1 overall potential in 2026 NFL Draft

Thats TBD. But WVU was pretty underwhelming and Devries did a good job all things considered

Michigan and UK started anew last year and were both very successful. In the new world of NIL, it’s very easy to jumpstart a program in year 1….especially with a robust NIL, like we do. Different sport, point stands - see IUFB. We can admit the roster as it stands is underwhelming but also root like hell that we win and come out on top. I’m still cautiously optimistic we have a good year….but it will mean we need to stay healthy and our team adjusts to high level basketball….but I also have faith in DeVries. It would be a big disappointment if we did lousy…I don’t think that happens with a CDD team.

It all depends on how their games translate to the high major. Certainly, in terms of high major experience, this roster is underwhelming…however, DeVries does very good with underwhelming roster. See WVU last year. If these guys can play in The Big Ten; then we have even more potential. Time will tell.