It’s time to take the Indiana Hoosiers seriously.
The Hoosiers cruised to a 56-7 win at home against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 8, all but setting the table for a top 15 appearance in at least the AP Top 25 poll.
Indiana is now 7-0 for the first time since 1967. That’s 57 years for those doing the quick math. Their undefeated record through seven contests isn’t the only impressive stat coming out of Bloomington, Indiana:
- 0 – Minutes trailing in a game this season
- 6 – Games scoring at least 40 points
- 35 – Average margin of victory as Indiana averages 49 points per game, and is allowing 14
- 14 – Lowest margin of victory this season
A lot of the success starts with first year head coach Curt Cignetti. The former James Madison HC has had a flawless transition to the Big Ten. His use of the transfer portal has been crucial to the quick turnaround, led by QB Kurtis Rourke.
The former Ohio Bobcat has 1,752 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and two more scores on the ground. He left their Week 8 win with a hand injury and did not return, which is a concern with five games remaining.
Two of those games are against ranked teams (Michigan Wolverines, for now, and the Ohio State Buckeyes) two on the road (OSU and Michigan State Spartans), and at least one will be set for national play on CBS, FS1, or FOX Sports.
What was a small relief was the play of backup QB Tayven Jackson. He finished 7-of-8 for 91 yards and two passing TDs. Cignetti had been happy more often than not with Jackson in practice, and it showed Saturday afternoon.
There are three games before matchups against the Buckeyes or what’s left of the Wolverines, so it is paramount for Rourke to get healthy, or Cignetti to squeeze as much juice out of Jackson ahead of a home game against the Washington Huskies on October 26th.
The Hoosiers cannot have a letdown against an annoying, if mediocre Husky defense, and need to stop QB Will Rogers.
Another hurdle for the team will be the pundits. The Hoosiers were TD favorites against a top 20 defense and blew them out, but it won’t slow naysayers from saying the Cornhuskers weren’t that good of a team.
Those in that boat are wrong, especially as the 40-point scoring streak has lasted well into conference play. If the Hoosiers can upset Ohio State in Columbus and not lose prior to that matchup, a CFP spot will be theirs.
Enough teams have put the Michigan defense in bad spots, and none of those offenses score at Indiana’s rate. Plus, that game is at home.
It’s been one of the best storylines in college football. Let’s hope the Hoosiers keep the offense, and win streak, going.