To avoid "cluttering' the general college football board with endless IU football debate, I'll respond to this post here:
First, I wholeheartedly agree with this:
However, I take exception to the following:I think Indiana clearly had the worst loss yesterday. They got complete manhandled by a likely solid Iowa team, but nothing special. Penix had a horrendous game. All of that goodwill from last season is bye-bye.
I don't recall Redzoners stating anything along those lines - granted, I may have overlooked such comments - so perhaps you are referring to external comments on the matter.Indiana fans and the program spent the entire offseason beating their chests, saying they were one of the best teams in the country with one of the best head coaches in the country and one of the best QBs in the country.
I can tell you that I, for one, never allowed the expectations for this season and the program - perennial divisional challengers to OSU - to reach such an unrealistic level. Take last season, for instance: They likely lose by a greater margin (though I'm suggesting they'd have been blown out) in a 'normal' season in Columbus with a full stadium of fans. And it's highly doubtful that they win at a packed Camp Randall Stadium with Tuttle, a game manager, at QB.
Honestly - and I've mentioned this before - my realistic expectation for this program as a comp: Pat Fitzgerald's Northwestern Wildcats program. You generally go bowling every year, with an occasional shot at a high profile bowl.
And as far as the assumption of Tom Allen as an elite coach - and this is not directed at you and actually supports your point - that's a stretch. Allen's obvious strength is his ability to motivate his players (that's not in question) but IMHO, he needs quality coordinators to assist with the Xs and Os for his program to reach my aforementioned expectations for the program. The departed Kane Wommack (DC) and (OC) Kalen DeBoer, for example. The latter, a bigger loss than most realize.