I cannot stress how important the Illinois game was to this team. At 4-0, all the Hoosiers would need for the rest of this year is two more wins. Now they need three and have to go through a scarier schedule than originally thought. That being said, it is obviously still possible for IU to play 13 - hopefully for us in Arizona or Florida, which wouldn't be a bad trip to make. But in all seriousness, I think this game and rebounding from this game is absolutely pivotal for this team. Through their first three games, the Hoosiers faced some stiff competition but none with the talent of Illinois. If they can come back and win three more games, it would be an impressive comeback. Let's take a look at the rest of the Hoosiers' schedule.
@Iowa, Sept. 29: At first, I thought this was going to be a game that IU could win. That largely depended on whether or not they could win their Big Ten opener at home, though. Now they have to go into Kinnick Stadium - one of the biggest stadiums in the Big Ten - and try to win. Good luck.
Minnesota, Oct. Oct. 6: If the Hoosiers don't win this game, consider the season over. Though Tim Brewster will improve this team over the years, they're not even close to a contender yet.
@Michigan State, Oct 13: Another game that I thought the Hoosiers could win - until Michigan State started playing excellent football. At Big Ten media day, Mark D'antonio was the only coach that didn't make a joke or crack a smile. I betcha he'll be smiling after they go to a bowl game in his first season as head coach.
Penn State, Oct. 20: The Hoosiers have absolutely no business winning this game. If they do, forget their win over Iowa last year, this would be one of their biggest upsets of all-time. Not to mention, they have to out-coach Joe Pa and out-play a terrific quarterback in Anthony Morelli.
@Wisconsin, Oct. 27: Assuming the Hoosiers come out of Penn State with a loss, they have to travel up to Madison demoralized. This game shouldn't fare too well either. Brett Beilema has a good handle on his team - not to mention one of the best running backs in the nation in P.J. Hill. After the job Rashard Mendenhall put on the Hoosiers, look for Hill to rush for the same amount if not more.
Ball State, Nov. 3: If you would have asked me about Ball State beating IU over the summer, I would have laughed. Now I'm like Woody and I'm shaking in my boots. This is a team that lost to Nebraska, at Nebraska, by one point - and they were leading by 17 for awhile. At one time a for sure win for the Hoosiers, now this is going to be a tough match.
@Northwestern, Nov. 10: The matchup between two teams that just cannot put together winning programs for a consistent set of years. This will be an interesting game. I do believe this is a game IU can obviously win and should win. However, Northwestern does have some talent and a great coach in Pat Fitzgerald. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one go down to the wire.
Purdue, Nov. 17: If the Hoosiers are sitting at five wins entering this game, then IU fans probably aren't sitting too well. Joe Tiller's team has been playing out of its mind recently and has not only put up large amount of points on the offensive end, but they have been playing well on the defensive side of the ball. I can see IU running with Purdue, but it will take a lot and would be a tough one to win.
If you guys can send in your thoughts on how you think the Hoosiers will pan out over their remaining 8 games and why, that would be much appreciated. Thanks guys and keep reading.
