IUFB vs Minnesota - Saturday, 10.31.26 @ 3:30 on CBS-TV -- GAME THREAD

[TTT]

Some of the play calling was trying to cover Hoover inadequacies and let the defense carry the team.  Grant Wilson looked like a QB-IU was just more explosive threat-though as long as interceptions do not get exposed to much meaning he can have one or two in 2 or 3 games. 
Grant Wilson stands tall, is a threat to run, had command of offense and placed passes where receivers were not exposed to much plus made some very accurate throws and confidence grew with each play.  For the circumstances grew comfortable. This should give him confidence.  And IU running game can make major impact and Grant Wilson and passing game can complement running game as it was previously planned with Hoover.  Hoover currently is not even playing like a backup QB but can in this scenario.  

[Hurryin' Hoosiers]

20 hours ago, rcbowla said:

In regards to the TO thing for Minnesota's kick: I understand and agree with Cig holding 2 TO's in hopes they miss and IU gets ball at 50 yd line with chance to get in position to win with a FG. I don't know why he's getting killed for that honestly. The odds a college K is going to make a 60 yd FG is pretty low and last night was certainly an anomaly. I actually think his thought process was correct.

Their kicker had hit 25 fgs in a row..with one being a little over 50 yards.  Not sure why anyone would bet against it.

[Hovadipo]

1 hour ago, MonteMarcaccini said:

Been mentioned plenty about needing to get to the bye, so I looked at the top 30 or so teams ranked today in the Athletic.

IU is the only one that had played 9 straight weeks. (USC has played 9 games but played week 0 and had a bye on 10/17). Every other team has had a week off.

After playing on the road in front of 100k getting NEB and MICH best shot in between playing a grinder against OSU, to say they were on fumes going into MINN would be a major understatement.

Makes it all the more remarkable what this defense has done.

MUCH needed rest this week.

And all that being said, we still dominated that game by every advanced metric. Should have been a 2-3 TD win if not for one unit, who then put us in the position to take the game back.

Despite its multiple flaws, this group has all the signs of a team that no one wants in their path to the CFP title. There are maybe 2 or 3 teams in their current form that can stake that claim.

[AH1971]

2 hours ago, 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?

TryNew Games

 

• 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.

I think a lot comes down to how much you trust him if you have to open up the playbook. There was virtually no tape on Wilson coming into the game and I can't imagine Minnesota spent a great deal of time prepping for him either. USC now has two weeks to prep with actual game tape.

I do think the staff would lean towards Hoover if 100% healthy, but that's just my opinion. But to his credit, he played excellent in relief. A lot of good things to like about his game. He did things Hoover hadn't done with weeks pushing the ball down field and his ability to pull the ball on zone read is just another added dimension your opponent has to prep for. 

[Lebowski]

8-1. On to SC. 

[JSHoosier]

Wilson was hitting passes downfield, Hoover has struggled with that all year. He doesn't need to be a star, just needs to be able to manage the game and not turn the ball over.

[AZ Hoosier]

1 hour ago, AH1971 said:

I think a lot comes down to how much you trust him if you have to open up the playbook. There was virtually no tape on Wilson coming into the game and I can't imagine Minnesota spent a great deal of time prepping for him either. USC now has two weeks to prep with actual game tape.

I do think the staff would lean towards Hoover if 100% healthy, but that's just my opinion. But to his credit, he played excellent in relief. A lot of good things to like about his game. He did things Hoover hadn't done with weeks pushing the ball down field and his ability to pull the ball on zone read is just another added dimension your opponent has to prep for. 

I have serious doubts that Hoover can get to 100% before USC. I don't have an issue with bringing him back - it's his team. But he must be healthy, or it's a fool's errand.

[Hoosier987]

17 minutes ago, AZ Hoosier said:

I have serious doubts that Hoover can get to 100% before USC. I don't have an issue with bringing him back - it's his team. But he must be healthy, or it's a fool's errand.

This is going to be key. My guess, and it's pure speculation, is that Hoover will get the first look if he's "healthy." This is where we need Josh to be honest. It does us no good if he's still not healthy but saying he can play. Yes, we know he can play...but to what effectiveness? It's similar to when a dugout manager walks out to the pitching mound after a pitcher throws 110 pitches. The pitcher will likely say he is good to pitch one more batter (competitive nature) but to what cost? He's likely not as effective. This is when hard decisions need to be made. Arm angle, mechanics, etc...all can help our coaching staff determine  how effective Hoover can be throwing the ball. For example, if he's throwing more at a side angle (or lower angle) that's probably not a good sign, if he's throwing at a high release...good sign. 

[Golfman25]

26 minutes ago, Hoosier987 said:

This is going to be key. My guess, and it's pure speculation, is that Hoover will get the first look if he's "healthy." This is where we need Josh to be honest. It does us no good if he's still not healthy but saying he can play. Yes, we know he can play...but to what effectiveness? It's similar to when a dugout manager walks out to the pitching mound after a pitcher throws 110 pitches. The pitcher will likely say he is good to pitch one more batter (competitive nature) but to what cost? He's likely not as effective. This is when hard decisions need to be made. Arm angle, mechanics, etc...all can help our coaching staff determine  how effective Hoover can be throwing the ball. For example, if he's throwing more at a side angle (or lower angle) that's probably not a good sign, if he's throwing at a high release...good sign. 

Thing is you can’t fake your health in practice.  If he’s this inaccurate in practice, then it’s on the coaches.  This may be more of a physiological injury, than a physical one.  

[str8baller]

10 hours ago, 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.

I suspect he’s the backup for a reason but I went back and watched some of his longer throws. The 3 to Becker were dang near perfect and the big 15yd in route to Marsh was right between the numbers.  
 

If Cig thinks that’s the route to go, it wouldn’t worry me too much.

[go iu bb]

13 hours ago, str8baller said:

I suspect he’s the backup for a reason but I went back and watched some of his longer throws. The 3 to Becker were dang near perfect and the big 15yd in route to Marsh was right between the numbers.  
 

If Cig thinks that’s the route to go, it wouldn’t worry me too much.

Cignetti hates to lose. Winning has also earned him big money and continuing to do so will result in more raises. These 2 reasons are why I think the coaching staff will go with the quarterback they believe will give them the best chance at winning individual games as well as making the playoffs. They have a lot more information about the extent and nature of Hoover's injury than we do plus see each of these players every day in practice so they'll be making an informed decision. 

[Stuhoo]

2 minutes ago, go iu bb said:

Cignetti hates to lose. Winning has also earned him big money and continuing to do so will result in more raises. These 2 reasons are why I think the coaching staff will go with the quarterback they believe will give them the best chance at winning individual games as well as making the playoffs. They have a lot more information about the extent and nature of Hoover's injury than we do plus see each of these players every day in practice so they'll be making an informed decision. 

Exactly.

And the coaching staff is watching this:

 

[MartintheMopMan]

On 11/2/2026 at 5:29 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.

I mean, okay, we saw him throw 9/17 for 156 yards and he looks good in a highlight reel. Don't get me wrong, he did great for the situation he was placed in, but what in your comment wouldn't apply to Raiola against USC where he threw 19/25 for 289 yards? How predictive was that of his next performance? Grant Wilson has to play better than he did in this game moving forward. He has to play the best football of his life because his career average is closer to that of an injured Josh Hoover than a healthy one.

I believe in Cig and believe that Wilson wouldn't be the #2 if he wasn't capable of taking over and leading us to victory. But let's not pretend his half against Minnesota gave us enough information to answer any of these questions in the longer term. He may come out and play as the reincarnation of Fernando Mendoza or he may come out and show us why he was the backup even when Hoover wasn't playing well.

Also, surprised at how little talk I've seen about Drew Pickles, he needs to be spending all of his free time practicing with Warren, Radicicic, and Growers until he gets his **** together. His play has done as much to bring the team down this year as anyone.

[Hardwood83]

7 minutes ago, MartintheMopMan said:

-snipped-

Also, surprised at how little talk I've seen about Drew Pickles, he needs to be spending all of his free time practicing with Warren, Radicicic, and Growers until he gets his **** together. His play has done as much to bring the team down this year as anyone.

I agree with this. 

As for Hoover, I don't really want to see him on the field again, unless it's for mop-up duty during a blow-out. 

[skhoosier2]

23 minutes ago, MartintheMopMan said:

I mean, okay, we saw him throw 9/17 for 156 yards and he looks good in a highlight reel. Don't get me wrong, he did great for the situation he was placed in, but what in your comment wouldn't apply to Raiola against USC where he threw 19/25 for 289 yards? How predictive was that of his next performance? Grant Wilson has to play better than he did in this game moving forward. He has to play the best football of his life because his career average is closer to that of an injured Josh Hoover than a healthy one.

I believe in Cig and believe that Wilson wouldn't be the #2 if he wasn't capable of taking over and leading us to victory. But let's not pretend his half against Minnesota gave us enough information to answer any of these questions in the longer term. He may come out and play as the reincarnation of Fernando Mendoza or he may come out and show us why he was the backup even when Hoover wasn't playing well.

Also, surprised at how little talk I've seen about Drew Pickles, he needs to be spending all of his free time practicing with Warren, Radicicic, and Growers until he gets his **** together. His play has done as much to bring the team down this year as anyone.

I've listened to some podcasts that are lamenting the same thing about Grant and using the same Raiola example.  I do believe Josh will be the guy IF he's healthy, but I don't agree that the offense is right for what Josh does well.  He's struggled and in his own words he's been uncomfortable (when he got here).  I think his confidence is very low right now and combined with the injury it's not doing him any favors.  Hopefully the staff gets Grant ready.  He did make the throws he needed to and his accuracy was better than we've seen Josh.  But as you said he's the 2 for a reason and if Josh is healthy I have to believe he's the guy.

 

[Mopladysman]

31 minutes ago, Hardwood83 said:

I agree with this. 

As for Hoover, I don't really want to see him on the field again, unless it's for mop-up duty during a blow-out. 

At a minimum he needs to get his helmet on straight.

[ronzo4IU]

22 minutes ago, skhoosier2 said:

I've listened to some podcasts that are lamenting the same thing about Grant and using the same Raiola example.  I do believe Josh will be the guy IF he's healthy, but I don't agree that the offense is right for what Josh does well.  He's struggled and in his own words he's been uncomfortable (when he got here).  I think his confidence is very low right now and combined with the injury it's not doing him any favors.  Hopefully the staff gets Grant ready.  He did make the throws he needed to and his accuracy was better than we've seen Josh.  But as you said he's the 2 for a reason and if Josh is healthy I have to believe he's the guy.

 

Maybe it's a little bit of, we zeroed in on Hoover and threw a bunch of money his way over Grant and it's kind of like you want that investment to prove it's worth.  You want the people with the bucks to believe in your evaluation process. 

[skhoosier2]

49 minutes ago, ronzo4IU said:

Maybe it's a little bit of, we zeroed in on Hoover and threw a bunch of money his way over Grant and it's kind of like you want that investment to prove it's worth.  You want the people with the bucks to believe in your evaluation process. 

Absolutely.  It's like Bryce Underwood.  Portnoy paid all that money and is still carrying on about the UM staff and Bryce being the guy. 

[Stuhoo]

11 minutes ago, skhoosier2 said:

Absolutely.  It's like Bryce Underwood.  Portnoy paid all that money and is still carrying on about the UM staff and Bryce being the guy. 

Yup. And Stevie Wonder could see immediately that Tommy Carr is better than Underwood.

Stevie Wonder could also see that Grant Wilson is better than the current version of Hoover.

[MartintheMopMan]

2 hours ago, ronzo4IU said:

Maybe it's a little bit of, we zeroed in on Hoover and threw a bunch of money his way over Grant and it's kind of like you want that investment to prove it's worth.  You want the people with the bucks to believe in your evaluation process. 

Maybe. But again, what actual evidence supports the conclusion that Grant has always been better than Hoover and CCCC has stuck with Hoover out of pride/fallacious thinking? Not Grant's pre-Indiana history, that's for sure. The 10-12 good throws you've seen Grant make outside of garbage time?

Is it something Cig has done before? Does he make playing decisions based on how much players were paid? Is there a specific reason to think Cig would not put Grant on the field if he thought he was the best QB available? Is there a specific reason to think the people with the bucks are having doubts about Cig's evaluation process?