THE Key to Victory: Illinois

[Will_Logan 145]

It's seems as if this whole season has been "must-win" games for Indiana. This week's no different.There are four keys missing from this list. I know. But I honestly couldn't even pretend to say anything other than the following mattered this week. So I decided not to. There is one and only key to Saturday's matchup:

#1 Show up at Winning Time
Winners find a way to win. Losers find a way to lose. Period.

If you've followed the Indianapolis Colts at all the past two years, you've seen a decent example of a "winner." It doesn't matter how badly the team is outplayed throughout the game, when it comes to "winning time" at the end of the game, Andrew Luck and the Colts somehow find a way to come out on top (see last week against Houston).

Indiana has been the complete opposite for some time now. It doesn't matter how well they play for the majority of the game, when it comes down to the end, they invariably find a way to lose - and shatter the fragile hearts of foolishly loyal fans like myself. They are "losers."

Whether it's failing to punch it in on 4th and goal...


leading #4 Iowa 24-14 in the 4th quarter only to lose 24-42...


or dropping an open pass in the end zone...


You can really take your pick of games IU has lost in winning time. I'm sure everyone has their favorites (feel free to post your own below).

Being a "loser" is one of the hardest things for a coach to correct, because it has so much more to do with mental approach than technical performance (take it from a guy who took over a team with a three year record of 0-32). The good news for the Hoosiers, and the reason I think I can justify making this the only key to this week's game, is that the Illini are "losers" too.

They knew they had the opportunity to get back into the football game, and they did. We all know that the game comes down to a few plays. Well, we didn’t make those plays that we needed to make in that football game.

I do believe this is a very important game. It’s a must-win for us. We’ve got to get that confidence back that we can win games. And we can win them, we’re so close.

I'm sure those quotes sound familiar. The first one is Kevin WIlson and the second is...someone like Kofi Hughes right? The first is actually from Illinois head coach Tim Beckman and the second is from Illini senior receiver Spencer Harris.

The Illini and Hoosiers have a lot more in common than just their 3-5 records.

Both schools' fan bases are probably more excited for the start of basketball season than Saturday's football game. Both teams are still in a transition period with relatively new coaches. Both squads are chock-full of young players. Both have potent quarterbacks and arial attacks. Both are coming off heartbreaking losses. And of course, both teams are as bad as it gets on defense by B1G standards. The Illini are ranked second to last in the conference in total defense ahead of only, you guessed it...

In reality, the more you read about tomorrow's game, the more sympathy you feel for the folks in Champagne. You understand their pain. You almost want them to do well.

But not Saturday. This is only Tim Beckman's second year. He doesn't get to go bowling yet. Not before Wilson.

It's time for Indiana to violently shake off their "losing" mindset. It's time for them to win no matter what. No matter how many fans leave the game. No matter what calls don't go their way. No matter what mistakes a player or coach might make. Win anyways.

Prediction:
While a lot of people are already talking about "next year," I'm focused on the guys for whom no such future exists. I expect the seniors to will the team to three more victories. In the words of Ted Bolser, "Win them all...We're not doubting ourselves against any team."

It all starts tomorrow afternoon. If football teams had doppelgängers, Indiana's would be Illinois. Although the Illini's defense is statistically a hair better than that of the Hoosier's, the Indiana offense is much better than that of the Illini. Indiana is 12th in passing offense and 58 in rushing offense. Illinois is 35th in passing offense and 99th in rushing offense. In a game that should feature offensive fire power, Indiana has more.

INDIANA 45 ILLINOIS 31

WE'RE NOT DEAD YET!

[url=https://btownbanners.com/page/articles.html/_/football/pre-g/the-key-to-victory-illinois-r78]Click here to view the article[/url]

[JSHoosier 20,086]

1)  Has Doug Mallory been fired yet?  No?  It's going to be a long game and a loss.

[Dalton26 16,892]

1) Has Doug Mallory been fired yet? No? It's going to be a long game and a loss.

Pretty much sums up my feelings.


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[Will_Logan 145]

ye of little faith!

 

Understandably so though...you all know my thoughts on DM https://btownbanners.com/page/articles.html/_/football/analysi/the-history-of-mallory-r65)

[Naturalhoosier 15,424]

IU wins much to the chagrin of Doug Mallory. 

[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

Solid write up. I'll stand with the team again this week and say we win. If we don't.... I'm over it this year.


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[Will_Logan 145]

Solid write up. I'll stand with the team again this week and say we win. If we don't.... I'm over it this year.


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If you've stayed an iu football fan this long, no point in giving up now. Win tomorrow, then we'll worry about Wisconsin and OSU. One game at a time.


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[IU Hoosier41 14,465]

If you've stayed an iu football fan this long, no point in giving up now. Win tomorrow, then we'll worry about Wisconsin and OSU. One game at a time.


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If we lose again... And to Illinois... There is no point hanging around.


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[Naturalhoosier 15,424]

Solid write up. I'll stand with the team again this week and say we win. If we don't.... I'm over it this year.


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I tell myself that at every loss.  The following week I find myself back in front of the tube yelling for my Hoosiers!