My finals are over. My Kyle Orton-like neckbeard is shaved. I am officially ready to get back into the full swing of things with Hoosier football.
And what a wild couple of days it has been for the IU football program.
One day after IU coach Bill Lynch landed his most coveted recruit, Darius Willis Lynch, along with Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy got to ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell in Times Square. As far as I know this is the first time that the two coaches have met one another, it seems like it would be an awkard place to be introduced...But I digress
In addition to Lynch's busy week, kicker Austin Starr was named to Sports Illustrated.com's All-American first team. Defensive end Greg Middleton earned second team honors and wide receiver James Hardy was on the honorable mention list.
Even more recognition came the Hoosiers way via ESPN, as quarterback Kellen Lewis joined Hardy, Starr and Middleton on espn.com's ALL BIG TEN TEAM
So at the moment, all is good in Hoosierland. Lynch landed his first big recruit, the team is less than three weeks away from playing in the Insight Bowl and all the players who were dinged up with injuries (see McCray, Demetrius) are expected to be good to go come New Years Eve.
MEANWHILE, in the land of Cowboys, Oklahoma State has been dealt what could be a major distraction heading into their battle with IU. Offensive Coordinator Larry Fedora is going to leave the team to become head coach of Southern Mississippi. The Cowboys strength lies in the offense, and this will certainly be an underlying subplot for the team heading into the Insight Bowl.
With all of this in mind, I pose the following questions: When was the last time IU football had it this good? Did Sports Illustrated and ESPN.com get it right? Was there too few Hoosiers? (Tracy Porter maybe?) Now that Darius Willis is on his way to IU, what is the next position that Lynch and the coaching staff needs to adress? Cornerbacks? Linebackers? Wide Receiver? How big of a deal is it that Oklahoma State's offensive coordinator is leaving them at the end of the year? How big of a distraction is it?
Any and all thoughts are welcome, if your looking to be distracted from studying for finals feel free to comment away, i'll be checking this blog frequently while watching the Bulls lay a beatdown on the Pacers tonight...
