How 'bout them Hoosiers

The IU football team made one giant leap Saturday, and while it wasn't on the moon, it was still in unmarked territory. In case you haven't noticed yet, the Hoosiers beat No. 24 Oregon in Autzen Stadium, one of the toughest places for a visiting team to play.\nThe victory over the Ducks represents the first time the Hoosiers have beaten a ranked opponent since Oct. 12, 2002. It also marks the first time since 1996 that IU has started the season 2-0. But more than that, it represents the beginning of a new era of Hoosier football. \nThese are not your Hoosiers of old.\nAgainst the Ducks, the Hoosiers were not exactly spectacular. Offensively, IU sputtered through the game. Matt LoVecchio completed just six passes the entire game. BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 91 yards, but it took him a hefty 29 carries to get there. This is important because it shows the Hoosiers can win a game with defense, and I can't remember the last time that was said.\nThese clearly aren't the Hoosiers of old. \nThe Hoosiers shut out the Ducks throughout the first half while capitalizing on turnovers to build an insurmountable lead. In fact, the Ducks turned the ball over seven times during the game, something you might expect of previous IU teams.\nSo what's next for the Hoosiers? \nTheir next two games, against University of Kentucky and Michigan State University, are easily winnable. Kentucky has played poorly so far this year, and Michigan State dropped a game to Rutgers. If the Hoosiers are able to win their next two games, they would have a spotless 4-0 record and would begin to command attention from the top 25 polls. The fact we're able to sit here and consider the possibility speaks volumes about the job Gerry DiNardo and his staff have done to this team. The Hoosiers already have as many wins as they did all through last season, and are just one more shy of their total two years ago. \nThese are definitely not the Hoosiers of old. \nThe team has many areas where it can improve, especially on offense. But at this moment, perfecting the offense is the last thing on the Hoosiers' minds. The team came home with a victory over a ranked opponent, but more importantly, IU came home with a 2-0 record. While the stats might indicate otherwise, the fact remains the Hoosiers are undefeated. \nIf you want, you could call them perfect.