Setting A High Bar

By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - High football expectations? Of course there are around these Indiana Hoosiers, who are definitely NOT the same old Hoosiers.

Except, in fact, they are, at least based on the program-changing last two seasons (see the 14-7 record and two bowls, plus last year's final No. 12 ranking).

So here is coach Tom Allen, in a Big Ten Media Day setting at Lucas Oil Stadium, embracing the moment in assessing how IU will make the most of this opportunity.

He instantly sets the bar by saying the Hoosiers goal is to play in the Big Ten title game, also at Lucas Oil Stadium.

"I do believe that individuals are made in the offseason, teams are made in the season," he says. "So those teams that figure out how to play the best together and allow themselves to be the best team on game day, that's the team that's
going to win."

These Hoosiers have a different feel with new coaches (associate head coach/running backs coach Deland McCullough, defensive coordinator Charlton Warren) and difference-making newcomers mixing with strong returning talent.

The result -- Allen insists this is the deepest team in his five seasons as head coach.

That leads to the obvious question -- how good can IU be?

"That's up to the guys that we brought with us here (Penix, Fryfogle, McFadden, McCrary-Ball)," Allen says, "and how well they lead and how well the guys that they're leading respond."

IU's depth should result in grueling practice competition, which is exactly what Allen and his staff want. Even the highly regarded transfers will get opportunities without guarantees.

"We work very hard, even within the transfer-portal additions, of finding guys that fit with us, which is no different than what we do in recruiting, whether from high school or another college," Allen says.

"We want guys that fit the culture, fit the mindset that we're looking for. Guys who will buy into the little things it takes to be great on game day."

As far as playing time, "That's earned and it's told to them in the whole recruiting process, no matter how we recruit them. They got to earn those opportunities and the best players are going to play."

Still, when you consider what transfers accomplished at their previous schools, they figure to make major contributions.

You just won't hear it from Allen.

"These are guys, several of them have had a lot of football experience at other schools and made a lot of plays and had had a chance to compete," he says, "but they're going to come in here and show that they're the best guy that deserves to play on our team.

"It's no different than anybody else. We have a roster full of guys that want to compete and that want us to be able to bring in great talent because iron sharpens iron every day."

Hoosier iron will have to be very sharp to beat the likes of Ohio State, which has owned the Big Ten East for years, and which is once again the heavy favorite despite substantial player losses.

"They are the gold standard and that is who we're chasing," Allen says. "And our one word for 2021 is CHASE. We're trying to chase that greatness every day."

IU chased and nearly caught the Buckeyes last season (losing 42-35) after a disastrous first half), which gives hope for this season and beyond.

"It's often when you have those types of setbacks that you learn a lot about yourself," Allen says. "I feel like adversity is where we really become who we are."

Allen brought the love to Lucas Oil Stadium. Would you expect anything less from a guy who has built his program on a Love Each Other (LEO) foundation?

"I love being in this venue," he says "I love Lucas Oil Stadium. It's our goal to end up our season playing here on December 4th."

For the record, that's the scheduled date of the Big Ten title game.

Ask the identity Allen expects from this team and he hits that LEO theme hard.

"It's accountability, toughness, and love. That's the three pillars of our program and it's branded by the phrase Love Each Other. That's our identity. That's our DNA. That's who we are. That's not going to change.

"And for me, the ability of this football team, is how well they buy into that, that they're able to live out those core values and become a true team."

A true team is needed against a gauntlet of a schedule.

The Hoosiers open at rugged Iowa and know this:

Allen wouldn't want it any other way.

"I love the way that it creates a sense of urgency.

"The start of the season always creates excitement. There's always that level no matter who you play, but when it's a conference opponent and when it's a team of their caliber, Coach (Kirk) Ferentz does a tremendous job there. The consistency, the toughness they have had for so many years. To play in that venue to start the season is going to be very challenging.

"You always get better in the preparation process when you're preparing for such a high-level opponent that early. It helps you have a better season."

As an added bonus, two weeks later IU hosts a Cincinnati program that had visions of making last season's college playoffs. The Bearcats finished 9-1 with a three-point bowl loss to Georgia in the 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

"We also have a tough non-conference slate," Allen says. "Week three we're hosting the Cincinnati Bearcats, who have done a great job building that program."

Add the always rugged Big Ten East, and most teams would buckle.

These Hoosiers are built for it.

Indiana University Athletics

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