IU's Homecoming Game

I have seen the future of IU Football, and his name is James Hardy. He'll have some value to the hoops team off the bench, but his most important role in IU sports is as a security blanket for sophomore quarterback Blake Powers over the next 2 1/2 years. He's a 6'7" redshirt freshman who already has as much field awareness as anybody else on the offense. Along with Terry Heoppner's new spread offense, he's a huge reason why Powers just set the single-season touchdown pass record in the Hoosiers' fifth game.

Can the Hoosiers go to their first bowl in 12 years? All they need is two more wins, but they'll be underdogs in each of their next six games. Their best chances are at MSU and hosting Minnesota. Let's face it, though . . . the most likely outcome is six straight losses, a 4-7 season, and another offseason spent searching for moral victories.

There are encouraging signs for the future. Hoeppner's reputation and new offense have created a buzz around the program, much like the one Cowboy Joe Tiller created at the beginning of his Purdue tenure. Powers, Hardy, and other members of the receiving corps are underclassmen who will only get better as they get more familiar with the offense. The defensive front seven features six seniors this year, and while next year may bring a lack of experience, it also gives Coach Hep an opportunity to plug in his own guys.

Is all this enough to overcome the massive recruiting edge enjoyed by in-state and neighboring state programs like Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, and the aforementioned Boilermakers? Probably not, and nobody should expect Indiana to find itself near the top of the Big 10 every season. But Heoppner is the real deal, as he proved at Miami of Ohio, and he'll make the most of the talent he brings in. Don't be surprised if IU is bowl-competitive on a year-to-year basis within the next five years.

Before all that, though, there are six (and maybe seven) Indiana football games left. Upsets happen, especailly if they can catch a team at less than 100% health. And the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue is always fun, even if the rivalry is one-sided enough to make the Yankees and Red Sox seem like Ali-Frazier.

Hoosier fans should pay attention, because this is certainly the most exciting team since Antwaan Randle El graduated, and may end up being the best team since Trent Green was under center. Who am I kidding? They could win the national championship and still be nothing more than statewide filler until Mike Davis' squad tips off against Nicholls State on November 18th. They didn't even sell out today's homecoming game! Have fun at midnight madness this Friday, Hoosier fans. But until the final minutes of the Bucket game (which I'm fired up to attend in person), I'll be keeping an eye on the Bloomington gridiron.