Indiana Football: Can fans expect a breakout season for the Hoosiers?

It is now year three for Tom Allen and after a mediocre first two years, what can Indiana football fans expect out of him?

The Indiana football program is waiting to break through. They have brought in their highest ranked recruiting class in history. They have a two year starter under center and a returning 1,000 yard rusher. It’s time isn’t it?

That’s what most Indiana fans are thinking, and quite honestly they’re right.

Indiana has been close so many times over the last couple of years and while that is great in establishing a starting point, at some point they have to start winning these games in order to take the next step as a program.

Whether it be the five point loss to Penn State last year or the halftime lead against Michigan in a game in which they forced the Wolverines to six field goals. Or the overtime loss to Michigan in 2017 and the eight point loss the following week to Michigan State.

Tom Allen has done a great job getting his team’s ready for the season since taking over the head coaching duties, going 6-0 against non-conference opponents in the first five weeks of the season. It is Big Ten play that has hurt Indiana however.

With a 4-14 record in conference play since the start of the 2017 season, the Hoosiers have failed to build on their strong non-conference momentum, finishing 5-7 both years. This year it has to change.

Ball State and Eastern Illinois to start the season should be no problem for a team that has sights on going to a Bowl game this season. Throw in games against Connecticut and Rutgers in the first six weeks of the season, both coming at home, and Indiana should realistically be 4-0 in those games. It’s the two games sandwiched in between that will be crucial.

Ohio State comes to town in week three, and Indiana travels to East Lansing for week five. Will Indiana win both, no probably not, but it is imperative to get one of them. Why? Because weeks 7-10 have the Hoosiers traveling to face their opponent in three of those games.

Maryland, Nebraska and Penn State all welcome in Indiana and while you can make the case that Indiana could go 2-1 in that span, it’s never easy to win on the road, especially in the Big Ten.

Not going to a Bowl game since 2016, in order for Indiana to establish themselves as a second tier Big Ten team that will consistently win seven games, they must start to win these close games.

This is the year. The Hoosiers are due.