2025 IUFB Season

[JSHoosier 22,365]

23 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Okay then!

This is a very high 4*; number 162 overall recruit:    https://247sports.com/player/messiah-mickens-46133503/

And that post almost looks like a commitment, not an visit or interest.

 

I saw something about him scheduling a visit, not about a commitment.

[Stuhoo 92,661]

If Mickens wants a clear path to seeing the field as a freshman, and unlike most other positions that's something that top rated running backs can handle, then IU is a strong choice.

[MemphisHoosier 2,563]

2 hours ago, Class of '66 Old Fart said:

Like many here I have mixed feelings on ESPN's football recruitment analysis, but a piece recentl y came out, https://www.espn.com/college-football/recruiting/story/_/id/46758805/college-football-recruiting-rankings-update-coaching-change, that mentioned Indiana as a player for a handful of PSU flips - including Mickens Keys, and Sieg - as well as the OT from Wisconsin that is currently committed to WSU.  

Interesting note from the article, Mickens is a fallback for the OSU if they can't flip a 4* RB currently committed to Wisconsin.

 

 

[Napleshoosier 11,078]

I don’t think I’d want to be a “fallback” for anyone !

[Hollywood Mike Miranda 1,047]

22 minutes ago, Napleshoosier said:

I don’t think I’d want to be a “fallback” for anyone !

Yep, like Cig said, "I've never taken a back seat to anybody and don't plan on starting now." 

[LamarCheeks 22,997]

Um -- lemme think about this a minute.

Oh, sure. What the hell -- yes, I agree. 

[Stuhoo 92,661]

This is truly surreal. This ESPN playoff predictor says that IU is currently the #1 most likely team to be in the CFP at over 96%, and that we might have to lose three more games to not be in. That means that we could get upset this weekend and next weekend at PSU, beat Wisconsin and Purdump, and still be one of the top 12 teams in the nation:

Playoff tiers

Tier 1

Indiana (8-0, 96.4% average playoff odds)
Ohio State (7-0, 94.8%)
Texas A&M (8-0, 93.2%)

At this point, any of these teams might have to lose three times to fall out of CFP contention. Texas A&M still has to travel to Missouri and Texas and host an athletic South Carolina squad, but it's safe to say these teams are in great shape. The Aggies are off this week, and the Hoosiers and Buckeyes are favored by 20-plus points.

[Hovadipo 63,334]

11 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

This is truly surreal. This ESPN playoff predictor says that IU is currently the #1 most likely team to be in the CFP at over 96%, and that we might have to lose three more games to not be in. That means that we could get upset this weekend and next weekend at PSU, beat Wisconsin and Purdump, and still be one of the top 12 teams in the nation:

Playoff tiers

Tier 1

Indiana (8-0, 96.4% average playoff odds)
Ohio State (7-0, 94.8%)
Texas A&M (8-0, 93.2%)

At this point, any of these teams might have to lose three times to fall out of CFP contention. Texas A&M still has to travel to Missouri and Texas and host an athletic South Carolina squad, but it's safe to say these teams are in great shape. The Aggies are off this week, and the Hoosiers and Buckeyes are favored by 20-plus points.

Logic tells you that Bill is right, but boy do I not want to give that committee any reason to test his theory.

[Stuhoo 92,661]

14 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

Logic tells you that Bill is right, but boy do I not want to give that committee any reason to test his theory.

What is interesting is that if we dump one of the next two (there ain't no way in hell we're losing to Wisky or Purdump) we'd likely be in line for a first round CFP bye, while avoiding playing OSU and potentially getting that second loss.

Also interesting? If we lose one of the next two and OSU loses at Michigan, both us and OSU could be two of the four CFP bye teams, yet with neither of us playing in the conference championship game.

[Hovadipo 63,334]

5 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

What is interesting is that if we dump one of the next two (there ain't no way in hell we're losing to Wisky or Purdump) we'd likely be in line for a first round CFP bye, while avoiding playing OSU and potentially getting that second loss.

Also interesting? If we lose one of the next two and OSU loses at Michigan, both us and OSU could be two of the four CFP bye teams, yet with neither of us playing in the conference championship game.

What selfishly really sucks is that we're probably going to end up being too good to get a home playoff game. We'd almost certainly have to go .500 in our last 4. It's a good problem to have of course, but the thought of a CFP game in Bloomington makes me feel things.

[Stuhoo 92,661]

2 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

What selfishly really sucks is that we're probably going to end up being too good to get a home playoff game. We'd almost certainly have to go .500 in our last 4. It's a good problem to have of course, but the thought of a CFP game in Bloomington makes me feel things.

Gimee that bye plus a quarterfinal game under an hour from mi casa!

[Hovadipo 63,334]

35 minutes ago, Stuhoo said:

Gimee that bye plus a quarterfinal game under an hour from mi casa!

Gimme the bye and a win over the Bucknuts in Indy for a Rose Bowl quarterfinal game.

[johnsoniu 7,168]

1 hour ago, Stuhoo said:

Gimee that bye plus a quarterfinal game under an hour from mi casa!

CFP Championship or bust. When Cigs says no limitations, there are no @#&! limitations

[Stuhoo 92,661]

22 minutes ago, johnsoniu said:

CFP Championship or bust. When Cigs says no limitations, there are no @#&! limitations

Yes. That one in Miami too.

I fully expect to budget to see two of IUFB’s last three wins this season in person.

[Pagoda 6,435]

Interesting and makes sense.

[MemphisHoosier 2,563]

On 10/30/2025 at 8:44 AM, Stuhoo said:

If Mickens wants a clear path to seeing the field as a freshman, and unlike most other positions that's something that top rated running backs can handle, then IU is a strong choice.

ESPN had another update for Mickens, https://www.espn.com/college-football/recruiting/story/_/id/46792662/college-football-recruiting-lsu-penn-state-ohio-state-auburn-flips-visits.  TL:DR The RB is finalizing visits to Indiana, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.  Unless Mickens plans to visit during a bye, I would assume Cig and Coach Miller are targeting hosting for the Wisconsin game in two weeks.

Additionally the article mentions WR Davion Brown as another flip to keep an eye on from PSU.  Indiana, Maryland, and K-State are mentioned as primary contenders here.  Something worth watching, the staff has 2x WR committed for '26 (Rupert and Bryson) and are reportedly leading for former PSU commit Lavar Keys - does the staff take 4x WR in the class?  Personally, I could see it with so much offensive firepower moving on after the season - looking at Williams, Sarratt, Brady, Jackson (who entered the portal), and potentially Omar - and these things just work themself out.

[Pagoda 6,435]

Some positive news.

[Pagoda 6,435]

Okay not too bad I guess is the positive spin…

[Magnanimous 5,522]

The beatings will continue until the ranking improves.

[IU5355 1,077]

Zen appeared to settle down and fill his role nicely after a rough start. But we need Evans back soon!