2026 IUFB: CHAPTER 3

[Pagoda]

On 11/2/2026 at 8:29 AM, Stuhoo said:

Let me ask you guys this:

You saw him play against an above average Big Ten defense; what part of Grant Wilson's game appears to be lacking?

• Does he put us into unadvisable situations?
• Does he lack mobility?
• Does he have enough arm strength?
• Can he execute back shoulder throws?
• Can he zip it into a tight window when needed?
• Is he big enough and strong enough?
• Can he take off and run when needed?
• Does he have leadership maturity?

Thought so.

For these reasons I think he starts vs. USC.

[skhoosier2]

11 hours ago, Old Friend said:

Theory based on watching....

Hoover's hurt.  I think that's universal...we get that.  But...  TCU's offense is more "react" with automatic reads.  If this look, throw here.   If THIS look, throw there. etc.    Indiana more traditional read option and the QB has to be a threat to pull it (or the ends crash inside and running backs have nowhere to bounce it and frequently get taken down from behind between the tackles).  Hoover ran for - (negative) 10 yards in his TCU career.  Mendoza carried for 297 yards last season on 56 carries.  Hoover always handed it off....never kept it until Michigan on the read option and when he did, he tripped.  His throws - in this theory because they're from a genuine read, not an automatic read - have been sometimes tentative. To me, his entire game looked tentative; even if "efficient" by the numbers. 

BuyGame Tickets

 

Maybe he's just not the fit for this offense Cig thought he was, but he has been "good enough" to stand behind until Saturday?   If we stay with Wilson and he fits the offense better, we may be a tough get for anyone because we all know if we give that defense 21 points, it'll take a hell of an effort to kill Indiana.   28 and nobody in the country will do it.

Am I crazy?

I think this is a good take.  Yes he was RPO and second most to Fernando last season but their offense as you said was different.  I think he lacks confidence in this offense whether that's too much coaching about his turnover issues which leads to him being in his own head and not trusting himself to read/throw accurately or just not being able to see the reads/read the defense effectively and quickly enough to make the decisions in the offense.

I don't know if Grant is the answer, but I do know at this point he likely gives the offense a better chance to move down the field and win games.  Josh did not look like this at all at TCU.  Has he been hurt since coming to IU?  Theories of people that have followed his career think this wasn't a one-off injury from OSU.  He's struggled with accuracy from the jump.  If we are going to go with Josh, Shanahan and Cig need to move off of RPO.  This offense isn't working for him.  He looks more comfortable in moments where he's moving the ball down field in rhythm such as end of game situations or two minute pass first offense.  It also doesn't help that we haven't been able to run the ball with any consistency.  I hope Josh gets healthy.  I do think he can lead this team but only if something changes with his health and with the offense he's running.

[Brass Cannon]

41 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

For these reasons I think he starts vs. USC.

I think he starts too. But barring Hoover having surgery I don’t think anybody will know till the 14th so USC has to prepare for both 

[Pagoda]

A nice long feel good read for the bye week.

 

[jermhoosierfan]

14 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

A nice long feel good read for the bye week.

 

It has now been proven that if the admin cared about football, the fan base will get behind a winner.  It just took forever for those in charge to actually care.  Basketball shows that in a way.  The fan base is behind the team, but it has slowly gone down because of the last 10 years of nothing.  Crean had a 3 or 4 year run where it was rocking, but CAM and the King put a big damper on it.

[jermhoosierfan]

Here is some more from the Jets and Raiders.  This is after the game.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Doc2H2xRG/

[Stuhoo]

The crowd reaction as Paddy McAteer's 60 yard field goal splits the uprights. Another incredibly memorable 2024-2026 IUFB moment:

[Pagoda]

These aren’t getting old.

We’ve seen it already but exasperated Cig in the locker room is something else.

 

[JSHoosier]

With 3 games to play Becker is 125 yards away from 1000. Marsh has the most yards, yards per catch and TDs of his career.

[RoadRage]

7 hours ago, Pagoda said:

These aren’t getting old.

We’ve seen it already but exasperated Cig in the locker room is something else.

 

I hope Don Fischer lives to be 120 years old and does play by play till he's 119! He is the greatest in my opinion!