Indiana Football: Hoosiers Give Me Hope in November (2023)

    Well, after playing tough against Penn State the last weekend of October, giving IU its sixth loss, the Hoosiers showed up in Bloomington and upset the Wisconsin Badgers, 20-14. So that is Indiana's third win, allowing them to think that they can maybe--MAYBE-- get some religion and win out the season. We have some teams that are beatable. They are:

    Illinois, that just beat Minnesota, which is only okay this year.

    Michigan State, that is not that great. IU upset them last year.

    And then Purdue, who has crushed our hopes many times before. But they are capable of losing big. 

    Basically, the worst three teams in the current 14 member Big Ten. Next year it will be 18 with the West Coast corner teams.

    Can Indiana do it? It would be remarkable! I will keep you posted. The good news: the offense and the defense (plus the special teams) are good for IU. The bad news: my favorite Hoosier receiver, Cam Camper, is out for the season with a leg injury. I met his family members at the Maryland game, where the Terrapins scored early and often, and IU's season seemed pretty lost to the dung heap.

    But now: we can hope.

    Go, IU! The week after the battler Robert Montgomery Knight died at age 83, the Indiana gridiron boys under Coach Tom Allen may have a prayer or two (or three!) left.

    Meanwhile, my other alma mater fell to 5-4, and has to win only 1 of 3 to be bowl eligible. But, they are not playing well. Hmmm...

    Which is a better place to be in? Cougars host the Cyclones of Iowa State this Saturday night. I will let you know. I hope. We cannot always assure all promises. Crazier things have happened.