Normally, at this time of year, IU fans (Indiana University for the uninitiated) turn their attention to the sport of basketball. Cheering for their local heroes on the hardcourt is an Indiana tradition, and they will do so again this year at the famous Assembly Hall in Bloomington—but they may have to wait just a bit.
Right now, all eyes are on the No. 1-ranked Indiana football team, who will enter the upcoming college football playoffs undefeated for the first time in school history.
Just writing the words "No. 1-ranked Indiana football" seems almost impossible, as the Hoosiers have had a long history of losing football, but they have turned it around in startling fashion this year.
On Dec. 31, they will be taking on a tough Alabama team in the quarterfinals of the college football playoff, and if they win that game, they will advance to the semifinals Jan. 8, where either Oregon or Texas Tech will be waiting.
No easy task in any of those matchups, but should they somehow survive, the Hoosiers will be playing on Monday, Jan. 19, with the whole nation watching.
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Then, the opponent could be Ohio State (in a rematch), or Georgia, Mississippi, or maybe even Miami.
Most fans are still a little skeptical about the Hoosiers–even after they beat Ohio State for the Big Ten Championship. Just the thought of IU as a football school, and good enough to beat all these powerhouse teams, has many fans still doubting.
But if you watched the Hoosiers play this season? You wouldn't doubt. They have been dominant in most games, winning by large margins–and in the few close ones, have shown the ability to win when it counts the most, late in the game.
They play hard, tough, aggressive football with quickness and execution at an extremely high level.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is outstanding at quarterback and has a bevy of wide receivers who catch just about everything thrown their way.
So "the doubters" should be on notice. Indiana football is back, and they will be a tough out now that it is playoff time.
We will find out soon—and all the games in the college football playoff should be outstanding!
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