Game Thread: 9/25 @ Western Kentucky - 8:30 - CBS Sports Network

[MemphisHoosier]

Personally I have an extremely difficult time pulling meaningful takeaways from this game, beyond CTA's crew found a way to overcome and win in a hostile environment.  The quirky air raid offense is sooo unique (#1 in the country coming into the contest), and something that Warren's defense won't face again this season I am not sure there is much we can takeaway from it moving forward.  WKU's defense was absolute garbage and made Penix and crew look like Brady, Gronk, and the Bucs for much of the contest...sooooo I am left kind of shrugging my shoulders.  

Glad CTA got the win, glad the team had to show grit & character in a hostile environment - I think it will pay dividends down the road, but it's time to move onto Franklin and his crew.

[WayneFleekHoosier]

We aren’t making big plays this year.  Our longest offensive play today was 26 yards   Defensively, we aren’t forcing turnovers. Like last year.

Yeah, that seems a huge part of it. Play calling, football gods, personnel, ‘fans in the stand’?

I think we have a shot in most games. That’s still a big improvement for IUFB. I just want the momentum to keep inching forward. I’m a big Allen fan, really rooting for him personally and professionally.


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[NashvilleHoosier]

1 hour ago, Lebowski said:

Unless they fix the front 5 and front 7, in a hurry, they're not going bowling.  They're not winning five games at this point.  They've got to fix some serious core foundational problems, like yesterday.  

I agree. In many ways I’ll take the win regardless of how it looked b/c that was a total trap game. But I’m not confident we find 4 more wins looking at our schedule. Which is why I said we saved our chance at a bowl. If we lose that game there wouldn’t even be a chance.

[Hoosierfan2017]

16 minutes ago, MemphisHoosier said:

Personally I have an extremely difficult time pulling meaningful takeaways from this game, beyond CTA's crew found a way to overcome and win in a hostile environment.  The quirky air raid offense is sooo unique (#1 in the country coming into the contest), and something that Warren's defense won't face again this season I am not sure there is much we can takeaway from it moving forward.  WKU's defense was absolute garbage and made Penix and crew look like Brady, Gronk, and the Bucs for much of the contest...sooooo I am left kind of shrugging my shoulders.  

Glad CTA got the win, glad the team had to show grit & character in a hostile environment - I think it will pay dividends down the road, but it's time to move onto Franklin and his crew.

Man, there were 25k fans at the game last night. If that’s a hostile environment for us we’re in big trouble Saturday night when we play in front of 4x that many fans. 

[MemphisHoosier]

1 minute ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Man, there were 25k fans at the game last night. If that’s a hostile environment for us we’re in big trouble Saturday night when we play in front of 4x that many fans. 

Fair point my friend, coming off a season where these young men played in front of immediate family and crowds in the hundreds - I am using the term a bit loosely.

[Hoosierfan2017]

14 minutes ago, MemphisHoosier said:

Fair point my friend, coming off a season where these young men played in front of immediate family and crowds in the hundreds - I am using the term a bit loosely.

I do wonder how much that’s affecting the team this year, and how much it affected them last year. There are probably a host of reasons explaining the different team we’ve seen this year, but at this point I’m leaning toward us benefiting a good amount from no fans last year. 

[rayl456]

15 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Man, there were 25k fans at the game last night. If that’s a hostile environment for us we’re in big trouble Saturday night when we play in front of 4x that many fans. 

Oh, I think we're in BIG trouble next Saturday.  Franklin is going to want to punish IU after last season's game in Bloomington.  I would expect PSU to be looking to pound the crap out of us and post a big score.

[Alford Bailey]

Held on for the W but nothing about this team excites me. To prove last season wasnt a fluke, especially after the bowl game, we needed to come out of the gate strong. Weve done the exact opposite. On paper I think we have talent I just see nothing that suggests we beat any good team left on the schedule. I think Happy Valley could be down right embarrassing.

[Ryno6284]

8 hours ago, rayl456 said:

Oh, I think we're in BIG trouble next Saturday.  Franklin is going to want to punish IU after last season's game in Bloomington.  I would expect PSU to be looking to pound the crap out of us and post a big score.

I totally agree, I'm sure we are done by halftime.  Probably down by 17. 

I hate it but I'm guessing last year was a fluke to our benefit!  It just seemed to good to be true.  After the Bowl game,  I'd guess that set the precedence for this season?

[rayl456]

7 minutes ago, Ryno6284 said:

I totally agree, I'm sure we are done by halftime.  Probably down by 17. 

I hate it but I'm guessing last year was a fluke to our benefit!  It just seemed to good to be true.  After the Bowl game,  I'd guess that set the precedence for this season?

Unfortunately, I agree with you.   Last season IU caught people by surprise and benefited greatly from zero fan attendance, IMHO.  I doubt that we'll make a bowl game this season.  All the BIG teams we beat last year are going to want to put IU back in place...at the bottom of the BIG.  We haven't fully turned the corner yet, as a football program.  

[Loaded Chicken Sandwich]

4 hours ago, rayl456 said:

Unfortunately, I agree with you.   Last season IU caught people by surprise and benefited greatly from zero fan attendance, IMHO.  I doubt that we'll make a bowl game this season.  All the BIG teams we beat last year are going to want to put IU back in place...at the bottom of the BIG.  We haven't fully turned the corner yet, as a football program.  

I don't think we win a single Big Ten game. Somehow need 4 for a Bowl game. 

[Rico]

I see pessimism has reared it's head...

[mamasa]

8 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

I don't think we win a single Big Ten game. Somehow need 4 for a Bowl game. 

[Stuhoo]

 

[rayl456]

3 hours ago, Rico said:

I see pessimism has reared it's head...

Sorry, but my optimism falls as quickly as my morning erection when it comes to IU football.

[Alford Bailey]

14 hours ago, Loaded Chicken Sandwich said:

I don't think we win a single Big Ten game. Somehow need 4 for a Bowl game. 

Need to win all of Maryland, Minnesota, Rutgers and Purdue

[cthomas]

12 minutes ago, Alford Bailey said:

Need to win all of Maryland, Minnesota, Rutgers and Purdue

While doable, that will be a tall order. An upset in one of the other games would be most welcome. Losing Matthews is a real setback for the offense. He was our best receiver and kick returner in my opinion. 

[KzooHoosier82]

3 minutes ago, cthomas said:

Losing Matthews is a real setback for the offense. He was our best receiver and kick returner in my opinion. 

Our WR room is too deep and talented for this to be a huge issue. Getting Fryfogle’s confidence back and getting Buckley more reps will fill that void quickly. There are a ton of younger guys who just need an opportunity and now they have one

[Alford Bailey]

5 hours ago, cthomas said:

While doable, that will be a tall order. An upset in one of the other games would be most welcome. Losing Matthews is a real setback for the offense. He was our best receiver and kick returner in my opinion. 

Agree. Upset  UM or MSU? I dunno have a hard time seeing it.