Ed Miller, a loyal follower of Indiana football and basketball since the early 1970s, shares that this fall is unlike any other he has experienced.
As summer transitions into autumn, with vibrant foliage decorating the landscape, all eyes in Bloomington are now on the football team rather than on the typical buzz surrounding basketball.
Remarkably, Miller, now 70, has witnessed a string of three home sellouts and an electrifying atmosphere, complete with waving towels and deafening cheers, as the traditional candy-striped basketball attire has shifted to stylish candy-striped overalls.
This year, the burgeoning success of the Indiana football team has overshadowed the beginning of the basketball season, marking a remarkable turnaround.
“This time of year usually makes it tough to keep attending football games, but everything has changed,” Miller noted, expressing surprise at his newfound enthusiasm for football over basketball.
Historically, Indiana football has struggled, often being stuck in mediocrity and sometimes falling into obscurity.
The team has accumulated the highest number of losses (713) and ranks 10th for the lowest winning percentage (.422) in the history of the FBS.
Additionally, they hold the record for the fewest bowl wins (three) among Power 4 teams and endure a 33-year gap since their last postseason victory, which is the second longest duration for teams that have had multiple bowl opportunities.
The situation had become so bleak that during a recent Monday Night Football broadcast, ESPN commentator Joe Buck jokingly queried if Indiana even still had a football program after recognizing an alumnus.
Curt Cignetti was brought in with the aim of redefining the team’s image and, despite initial skepticism about his ambitious assertions of immediate success, his enthusiasm has begun to resonate.
“I’m incredibly excited about this role,” he proclaimed during a December basketball game, exuding confidence and taking jabs at rivals, declaring, “Purdue sucks. But so does Michigan and Ohio State.”
Now, Cignetti’s capability and determination are no longer under scrutiny.
As the first recruiting coordinator appointed by Nick Saban at Alabama, Cignetti stands as a leading candidate for national coach of the year following a notable 20-15 victory against the reigning national champions, the Wolverines.
This accomplishment marks Indiana’s second series win against Michigan since 1988 and secures the school’s first-ever 10-win season, achieved against one of college football’s most successful programs.
Presently ranked No. 5, Indiana boasts a record of 10-0 (7-0 in the Big Ten) and has amassed more wins this season than in the last three combined, with stadium attendance also witnessing a notable upswing.
Jennifer Worman, a 47-year-old resident of a nearby Indianapolis suburb, voiced her amazement at the turnaround: “We were eager for a new coach and expected significant changes to the roster, but never imagined we would be 10-0. It feels surreal for IU football.”
2024 has been a season filled with many remarkable achievements.
Indiana kicked things off with a historic 77-3 win over Western Illinois, their largest margin of victory.
In another standout match, they defeated Nebraska 56-7, matching the record for the largest margin in league play.
The Hoosiers also earned their first victory at the Rose Bowl with a 42-13 win against UCLA.
They soon became the first bowl-eligible team by taking down Northwestern 41-24.
Over the course of the season, Indiana surpassed 40 points in seven games, celebrated nine wins by 14 or more points, and has only trailed briefly in two matchups.
If they clinch a victory against No. 2 Ohio State, their first win against the Buckeyes since 1987 could set the stage for a shot at their first Big Ten title game with a win over their long-time rival Purdue, who currently owns a disappointing record of 1-8 (0-6).
Kurtis Rourke, the quarter back in his sixth season, reflected on their outstanding performance, stating, “We have playmakers across the board, which simplifies my job immensely. Our offensive line is excelling, allowing us to execute both runs and passes effectively. We are in sync right now.”
With the wave of victories comes discussion of postseason recognition for players like Rourke, named the 2022 Mid-American Conference MVP, who many say is a contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Rourke is not alone in this regard.
Defensive end Mikail Kamara has made headlines as well, leading the conference with 9.5 sacks and earning national recognition following impressive performances.
Additionally, Elijah Sarratt, a fellow Cignetti recruit from James Madison, showcases impressive numbers, holding fifth place in the Big Ten for receptions and receiving yards while tallying six touchdowns.
While some critics argue that Indiana’s success is bolstered by a less challenging schedule, past seasons have shown that success has eluded them in similar situations.
Indiana is now emerging as one of the most well-rounded teams nationwide, ranking second in scoring offense with an impressive average of 43.9 points, seventh in scoring defense at 13.8 points allowed, and excelling in multiple defensive and offensive categories.
This improvement has fans optimistic about Indiana’s chances of making the expanded 12-team playoff field, regardless of the outcome against Ohio State.
The resurgence of Indiana football has sparked nostalgia for past glory days under the mentorship of Bob Knight, and has surprisingly shifted the focus away from basketball, with pride flying high at Memorial Stadium for a twelfth consecutive week.
58-year-old Randy Pruitt from Columbus, Indiana, mused on how the current team has surpassed his expectations: “We always aimed to make it to a bowl game, but to even be mentioned among the top 12 teams as playoff contenders was beyond our wildest dreams.
Perhaps we’ll still be overlooked, but this level of success wasn’t on our radar.”
