Hoosierinbham

My biggest concern, other than the poor offensive performance, is Bell doubling down on the option as an effective "play action" strategy for this offense. Hopefully CTA has ripped him in private and pointed out from a defensive mindset how easy it is to defend at this level with our personnel. That comment to me just screamed a defiant, ignorant mindset.

I think coach Bell is trolling me. In spite of that, I'll put in a good word for him as OC with the Navy football staff when I'm in Annapolis Veteran's Day weekend. He can run the option all he wants there!

You are my new best friend. Everything is cyclical, but the SEC is definitely weaker this year than in recent years. Our new B1G members from the PAC are looking strong. My biggest beef is with the lack of penalty for playing less conference games. How the SEC isn’t penalized in the rankings for playing Austin Peay, Furman, or ETSU in November is beyond me. Oh well, times are changing.

Touche. Well played.

Not sure there is any dominant team currently in the country.

I love it. Unfortunately the discussions are minimal. With as many new pieces as we have on this team, there are a ton of possibilities of how this season could go.

Very well said. Escapability and a run threat is all we need.

I don't agree with, but understand, the ultra-conservative play calling against OSU. But for the love of Barry Switzer, can we please stop running the option! It fools no one, puts Tayven at risk, and gets stuffed almost every time (spoiler alert; qb is keeping because the rb is 2 feet away from him and one defender can take both players). Even the qb draws that aren't usually big gainers serve a purpose to occupy a defender to spy. Throw the ball to our big receivers and tight end, motion Lucas all over the field, and throw swing passes and wheel routes to Henderson. Mix in Turner for runs between the tackles. Play Lucas and Henderson together more to create mismatches. Just please, NO MORE OPTION!

True on all accounts.

We needed a qb sneak or run Turner in a power formation. Turner runs hard downhill and has some wiggle between the tackles. Love Henderson as a pass catcher and running off tackle, but he dances and hesitates too much for a quick-hitting play.

Glad to see Turner run to the power side when we shift an OL and TE to that side. Henderson cut it back in the same formation and tried to outrun speed. Bad idea.

Tayven has a ton of potential, but he's showing his youth. He'll be fine with experience. Really wish we had an OC that spreads the field and creates mismatches we can exploit. Bell likes the option for some reason.

True!

You're both hitting the nail on the head. It seems to be leveling the playing field, and the dirtiest programs appear to be affected the most. Alabama fans I know are pissed about NIL and the portal. They claim it has ruined college football. Maybe it has; for them. Now boosters of programs that may have restricted their desire to "help" before, can participate in collectives. The bagmen and other nefarious characters are less emphasized, which is good.

Go Bulldogs!!

Great points. I tend to believe CTA advised an offensive game plan that limited pressure on our new qb's, took time off the clock, and gave our defense much needed rest. He wanted a tractor pull, not a drag race. Don't kill the confidence of our young qb's, emphasize defense, and take some shots on offense without taking unnecessary risks. The execution on some of those shots just wasn't there yet.

My Bulldogs are looking strong. I'll always dislike Dekalb, so I hope they throttle them!

This is where the transfer portal can change things in one year. His talent, leadership, and moxy is something they have lacked at qb for quite some time. I know it was Navy, but he will have them in the hunt this season.

Both teams will have new QBs and many other unproven players. OSU has an obvious talent advantage. Our best hope is we play with a chip on our shoulders and come out on fire. OSU has played down to competition and occasionally layed eggs in early games in recent history. Their defense has not been dominant, and they haven't been overpowering in the trenches recently. Hopefully we get pressure from our defensive front, and dial up some creative blitzes to force pressure throws from an untested qb. The only way we slow Marvin Harrison Jr is to minimize has ability to get the ball. On offense, I'm looking for a better run game with an improved offensive line. Bostad will have zero fear of OSU, and hopefully that transfers to our big nasties. Establish the run, then use motion, spacing, and the ability of the qb to run to create mismatches. I'm not seeing a win, but hoping to be in range in the 4th quarter. Staying within 2 touchdowns would be good. If they're qb finds his rhythm, we could get smoked. But if we can hang around and maintain hope, 31-28 would be a dream scenario. (That's probably just my Black Rifle Fit Fuel coffee with extra caffeine talking!) Any way it goes, I'm just excited for our season to start. Go Hoosiers!!!

I'm with you on wanting to discuss IU football more right now. I actually love both sports, and the hoops recruiting season is heating up this fall. In spite of what my wife may think, my ability to focus on both IU basketball AND football simultaneously is quite impressive:) Unfortunately, being an avid IU football fan will always be less popular. The casual fans will join in during successful seasons, but without sustained success, our numbers won't grow. Either way, I'll be here cheering and willing to discuss. Ironically, I get a ton of respect down here for repping IU gear on Friday team days. Go figure. It must be what the passionate bottom feeder SEC fans feel like annually!

Excellent point. Even if our 1's can hang with OSU, their 2's and 3's are barely a drop-off. We don't have that kind of talent depth.

Very true. I remember the excitement and anticipation of the 2021 season. We had national attention and our fans were committed and prepared for our long awaited rise as a program. That lasted two series against Iowa. Penix's health was obviously a factor, but I'm not sure we have recovered from that yet as fans. I'll watch and support every game, but unfortunately there aren't enough of us that feel that way without more success on the field.

I agree. OSU is trying to find their cohesiveness, timing, and replace their qb as well. I've seen them struggle against MAC opponents several times in opening games. We have nothing to lose; they have everything to lose. If any of their players or coaches think "it's just IU", we could land a couple haymakers. I'd rather start with OSU and be the hunter, than have ISU and all of the above statements be reversed.

100% agree. The canned scenario would require your last example. I really want to see CTA succeed. I'll need to see more of OC Bell, but I really like the most recent coaching hires. Even 4 wins with a win over Purdue could create some momentum for a more manageable 2024 schedule with a more experienced team.

Play inspired ball against O$U and build confidence, especially our defensive line against a suspect Buckeyes O line. Fine tune things with wins against next two opponents. O line learns schemes and builds confidence, nastiness, and cohesiveness. Qb separates himself and develops confidence and leadership. Big win in Indy as Allen and local boys will be inspired. I don't see a Maryland win on the road if qb is healthy, but Rutgers, MSU, Illinois, and Purdue are winnable depending on health and development. Optimist in me says 5, although if the wheels fall off again, could be 2 and Allen gets canned. I'm gonna feed the optimist!