IUFB vs Old Dominion - Saturday, 08.30.25 @ 2:30 on FS1

[AH1971 3,436]

1 minute ago, Home Jersey said:

Because some guys grade a given throw as risky on a scale of -2 to +2 doesn't really tell you much in a meaningful way. People extrapolate PFF grades to all sorts of wacky arguments, like calling a QB that threw 6 INTs last year a poor decision maker and turnover prone. Lol 

The biggest question marks concerning Mendoza were his decision making and down field accuracy. I don’t think today was any indication those question marks were put to bed.

Enjoy your evening.

[str8baller 7,802]

38 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

All true. That said, if Riley Leonard could game manage ND to the CFB title game, I think Mendoza could manage us into the CFP. Leonard was god awful most of the year as a passer and they became a very one dimensional offense. Trusting in Cig. 1-0. Like you said, time to straighten things out.

Riley Leonard was awful but could run. Also ND probably had a top ten personnel unit everywhere except Dline (still good when healthy) and receiver. IU won’t have that type of talent disparity. 
 

It’s also wild to me that the expectation is potential CFP. In the basketball thread I was trying to explain how Barnes got ousted at Texas because he failed to live up to the lofty expectations he set. Expectations change quick with success. IU football fans getting worked up because they might only win 7-8 games is as much proof of that as anyone will ever need.  I’m still high on this team but don’t really think a 1 loss squad is the expectation outside of Georgia, Bama, OSU, etc… IU will need Mendoza to play great and some luck (like most teams) to be vying for a CFP spot. 

[Home Jersey 16,794]

1 minute ago, str8baller said:

Riley Leonard was awful but could run. Also ND probably had a top ten personnel unit everywhere except Dline (still good when healthy) and receiver. IU won’t have that type of talent disparity. 
 

It’s also wild to me that the expectation is potential CFP. In the basketball thread I was trying to explain how Barnes got ousted at Texas because he failed to live up to the lofty expectations he set. Expectations change quick with success. IU football fans getting worked up because they might only win 7-8 games is as much proof of that as anyone will ever need.  I’m still high on this team but don’t really think a 1 loss squad is the expectation outside of Georgia, Bama, OSU, etc… IU will need Mendoza to play great and some luck (like most teams) to be vying for a CFP spot. 

I acknowledged in a different post that ND has a talent advantage but the same principle of improving during the season holds. They figured out a way to make it work and I trust our staff to do the same with Mendoza, who I don't think is nearly as challenged as Leonard as a QB. By no means to I expect another CFP run, but I'm not ready to cap the ceiling after one game is all. Definitely need Mendoza to be great and some luck to make another run.

[Home Jersey 16,794]

Miss this guy on the line.

[AH1971 3,436]

2 minutes ago, str8baller said:

Riley Leonard was awful but could run. Also ND probably had a top ten personnel unit everywhere except Dline (still good when healthy) and receiver. IU won’t have that type of talent disparity. 
 

It’s also wild to me that the expectation is potential CFP. In the basketball thread I was trying to explain how Barnes got ousted at Texas because he failed to live up to the lofty expectations he set. Expectations change quick with success. IU football fans getting worked up because they might only win 7-8 games is as much proof of that as anyone will ever need.  I’m still high on this team but don’t really think a 1 loss squad is the expectation outside of Georgia, Bama, OSU, etc… IU will need Mendoza to play great and some luck (like most teams) to be vying for a CFP spot. 

IU should win 8 games minimum with their schedule. They have three pre-season All-American’s and a QB who was just projected to go #1 in the most recent mock draft. We’re paying our head coach $9mil/yr and both coordinators $2+mil. 6-7 wins would be an abstract failure.

[Home Jersey 16,794]

Just now, AH1971 said:

IU should win 8 games minimum with their schedule. They have three pre-season All-American’s and a QB who was just projected to go #1 in the most recent mock draft. We’re paying our head coach $9mil/yr and both coordinators $2+mil. 6-7 wins would be an abstract failure.

We are going to win at least 8 games this year and if today's game from Mendoza makes you think we are going to win 6 or 7 I think you're way overreacting. Enjoy your evening too. Lol 

[Pagoda 5,438]

1 minute ago, AH1971 said:

IU should win 8 games minimum with their schedule. They have three pre-season All-American’s and a QB who was just projected to go #1 in the most recent mock draft. We’re paying our head coach $9mil/yr and both coordinators $2+mil. 6-7 wins would be an abstract failure.

You’re a lot harder on the football program than the bball program!

[AH1971 3,436]

2 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

You’re a lot harder on the football program than the bball program!

Because I thought Mike Woodson deserved a 4th year? Ok lol.

[AH1971 3,436]

5 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

We are going to win at least 8 games this year and if today's game from Mendoza makes you think we are going to win 6 or 7 I think you're way overreacting. Enjoy your evening too. Lol 

Play like we did today against a B10 team, 6 wins would be a minor miracle.

[Home Jersey 16,794]

3 minutes ago, AH1971 said:

Play like we did today against a B10 team, 6 wins would be a minor miracle.

Good thing it was the first game of the season and good college football teams improve week to week early in the season. First time following CFB/IUFB? 

[AH1971 3,436]

3 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

Good thing it was the first game of the season and good college football teams improve week to week early in the season. First time following CFB/IUFB? 

I’ve followed IU football longer than you’ve been alive. Spare me.

[DChoosier 9,988]

It’s ridiculous to jump to conclusions about the upcoming season simply based on one game in which a number of new pieces are being integrated into the system.

That being said, if asked if the team exceeded expectations, met expectations or was below expectations it isn’t nutty to say for this ONE game the team was below expectations .  
 

It was almost Allenesque to see us give up 75 and 78 yard runs to a QB that we knew liked to run, watch one of our best receivers drop a TD pass that hit him in the hands, see a FG clunk of the crossbar, watch a QB miss receivers and throw into double coverage, observe what seemed like 15-16 plays within 4 yards of the goal line without a TD etc etc.

That being said…I totally trust Cig and think/hope that the 2 upcoming scrimmages will give us time to get prepared for Illinois. 
Keeping my “panic button” in my pocket until seeing what happens vs the Illini.

[str8baller 7,802]

23 minutes ago, Home Jersey said:

I acknowledged in a different post that ND has a talent advantage but the same principle of improving during the season holds. They figured out a way to make it work and I trust our staff to do the same with Mendoza, who I don't think is nearly as challenged as Leonard as a QB. By no means to I expect another CFP run, but I'm not ready to cap the ceiling after one game is all. Definitely need Mendoza to be great and some luck to make another run.

Oh yea…I think they improve. I don’t even think the game was that bad. Good teams play down to their competition all the time. IU didn’t last year but they will even if they’re perennial CFP contenders. It’s life. Much was made about how old dominion played USC last year; they might be good themselves.
 

IU also will lose games they should win. As you know, ND lost to N Illinois last year. OSU lost to UM. IU has a couple easy games to work it out before a brutal 3 game gauntlet. 

[AH1971 3,436]

2 minutes ago, DChoosier said:

It’s ridiculous to jump to conclusions about the upcoming season simply based on one game in which a number of new pieces are being integrated into the system.

That being said, if asked if the team exceeded expectations, met expectations or was below expectations it isn’t nutty to say for this ONE game the team was below expectations .  
 

It was almost Allenesque to see us give up 75 and 78 yard runs to a QB that we knew liked to run, watch one of our best receivers drop a TD pass that hit him in the hands, see a FG clunk of the crossbar, watch a QB miss receivers and throw into double coverage, observe what seemed like 15-16 plays within 4 yards of the goal line without a TD etc etc.

That being said…I totally trust Zig and think/hope that the 2 upcoming scrimmages will give us time to get prepared for Illinois. 
Keeping my “panic button” in my pocket until seeing what happens vs the Illini.

Totally trust Cig. At the same time, Cig is at the mercy of his players. Cig has had elite QB play for x amount of straight seasons. If Mendoza plays to potential, this team is fine. If Mendoza doesn’t take the next step, this season is going to be a migraine. I was not impressed with Mendoza today.

[JerryYeagley23 5,185]

22 minutes ago, AH1971 said:

Play like we did today against a B10 team, 6 wins would be a minor miracle.

Do you get invited to a lot of parties?

[AH1971 3,436]

Just now, JerryYeagley23 said:

Do you get invited to a lot of parties?

I’m 72. My party days are over.

[ronzo4IU 439]

Where’s the presser?

[AH1971 3,436]

7 minutes ago, JerryYeagley23 said:

Do you get invited to a lot of parties?

Led Zepplin North America 75 was a party. Still have a hangover lol

[Pagoda 5,438]

1 minute ago, ronzo4IU said:

Where’s the presser?

 

[Josh 13,289]

Mendoza was wildly inaccurate and our red zone offense was atrocious.  Both of these things need to be fixed, especially quarterback play if we want to be a good team this year