2026 IUFB: CHAPTER 3

[Lebowski]

50 minutes ago, DChoosier said:

I was listening to an IU podcast today and was surprised to hear that 11 of this upcoming season projected starters are Tom Allen recruits.  
Without thinking it through I would have guessed maybe 3 or so.

Tom Allen landed some talent but just never fully got the backing from the top. This directly relates to him unable to keep his staff intact. At one point, IUFB had the current HC and DC at Bama on staff. Ultimately, letting him go and hiring Coach Cig was the right move but at the time there were folks wondering why let him go let alone pay his massive buyout. At the time he was relatively successful for IUFB standards. So this doesn't surprise me in the least. It makes you wonder had that offense stayed intact when Coach Cig arrived just how good they might have been. The front 5 was meshing very well at the end of the 2023 season and looking very bright for the 2024 season. But losing Zach Carpenter, Kahlil Benson and Matthew Bedford really took a hit.  Does that 2023 front five under Coach Cig handle O$U a little better? Who knows. But it does make you wonder. Did Benson and Louis Moore wonder as well? They came back and got their Natty in 2025. 

[TTT]

IU is going to have a stellar passing game 2026 because they have receivers with a monster running game or is it going to be IU is going to have a stellar running game because they have running backs and a monster passing game.  In both cases they have an offensive line 

[str8baller]

2 hours ago, Pagoda said:

Something I wonder about with team building is how much is great scouting and how much is a staff/system that can get a lot out of almost anyone.

The former Cig gets a lot of attention for, but I think the latter is just as important.

I think system/fit is as big of a factor in football as any sport. Just think of the Dline in a 3-4 vs 4-3 system. A SDE in a 3-4 can be a DT in a 4-3…or maybe not. Outside rush LB in a 3-4 can be a DE in a 4-3…or maybe not. Then extrapolate that to all the positions across all the systems. Cig seems like a genius with that stuff, imo.

[Pagoda]

Another great video from IUFB.

 

[Brass Cannon]

4 hours ago, Pagoda said:

Another great video from IUFB.

 

Love it. Can’t wait for the season. 
 

Was thinking an underrated thing that will help Hoover is the WR Corp.  Cig talked about the run game and defense but Hoover is going to have his best set of WRs by far as well. 

[JSHoosier]

https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers/news/ranking-the-big-ten-inside-linebacker-5/

On3 has this series for different positions in conference.

Hardy comes in at #1 inside linebacker.

Hoover was #4 QB. Becker #3 WR. Smith #1 OT. Evans #2 guard. Tucker #1 interior DL.

[Jeff Flabjohns]

I’ll never forget Hardy’s awesome defensive play in the end zone vs OSU to force the FG Fielding then missed. Big time

[Brass Cannon]

1 hour ago, JSHoosier said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers/news/ranking-the-big-ten-inside-linebacker-5/

On3 has this series for different positions in conference.

Hardy comes in at #1 inside linebacker.

Hoover was #4 QB. Becker #3 WR. Smith #1 OT. Evans #2 guard. Tucker #1 interior DL.

Interesting lists. 
 

I 100% don’t get the hype for Moore. 
 

11 minutes ago, Jeff Flabjohns said:

I’ll never forget Hardy’s awesome defensive play in the end zone vs OSU to force the FG Fielding then missed. Big time

That was mind blowing in the moment.  

[JSHoosier]

Lindy's has IU finishing 3rd in the B1G behind Oregon and OSU.

[Brass Cannon]

54 minutes ago, JSHoosier said:

Lindy's has IU finishing 3rd in the B1G behind Oregon and OSU.

Let me guess?  Based on the massive talent differential. 

[American HoosierX]

On 6/14/2026 at 9:21 AM, JSHoosier said:

https://www.on3.com/teams/nebraska-cornhuskers/news/ranking-the-big-ten-inside-linebacker-5/

On3 has this series for different positions in conference.

Hardy comes in at #1 inside linebacker.

Hoover was #4 QB. Becker #3 WR. Smith #1 OT. Evans #2 guard. Tucker #1 interior DL.

Brunner was also listed as the #5 guard. Didn't give up a sack last year and only committed one penalty.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

The Daily Hoosier posted this link and it has some info on the game at Washington on Nov. 21, for anyone thinking of going.

https://gohuskies.evenue.net/events/FBS

[skhoosier2]

52 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

Let me guess?  Based on the massive talent differential. 

Guessing they think we lose one on the road and the home game to OSU.  And maybe that happens.  I think OSU at home will be the toughest game followed by the UM road game the next week (if we win that is there a let down when we go to the Big House).  If we get by those two then I think Washington is one to look at a possible trap game.  It really will all depend on Hoover.  We go how he goes.  The defense will likely play lights out.  OSU has a very tough schedule this season.  I could see us finishing 2 to Oregon and seeing them in the B1G championship which will be tough for Oregon because it would essentially be another home game for IU.  Can't wait for the season to watch it all play out.

[Brass Cannon]

1 minute ago, skhoosier2 said:

Guessing they think we lose one on the road and the home game to OSU.  And maybe that happens.  I think OSU at home will be the toughest game followed by the UM road game the next week (if we win that is there a let down when we go to the Big House).  If we get by those two then I think Washington is one to look at a possible trap game.  It really will all depend on Hoover.  We go how he goes.  The defense will likely play lights out.  OSU has a very tough schedule this season.  I could see us finishing 2 to Oregon and seeing them in the B1G championship which will be tough for Oregon because it would essentially be another home game for IU.  Can't wait for the season to watch it all play out.

I got ya. I just continue to see every analysis of the upcoming season devolve into a discussion about talent. 
 

They talk about what we lost and not what anybody else lost.  

[skhoosier2]

4 minutes ago, Brass Cannon said:

I got ya. I just continue to see every analysis of the upcoming season devolve into a discussion about talent. 
 

They talk about what we lost and not what anybody else lost.  

Yea many hung up on stars and how much talent all of these other teams have.  It's just more fuel for Cig to use to motivate this team. Coaching matters.  Miami was much more talented and their penalties and mistakes cost them the natty.  Crazy how many doubters there still are. 

[Pagoda]

Fisch and Hoover.