Indiana Football: Non-Conference opponents Hoosiers should play

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ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 02: Anthony Roberson #89 of the UCF Knights warms up during an NCAA football game between the Houston Cougars and the UCF Knights at Spectrum Stadium on November 2, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. UCF is wearing space designed outfits for the game. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

UCF

Central Florida has risen from the ashes in the last three years. They went from winless to an undefeated season in 2017 that included a win against SEC power Auburn in the Peach Bowl. Auburn had just got done beating Alabama, the eventual national champion, so the Golden Knights decided they deserved part of the National Championship. They even have National Champion plastered above their press box at their stadium.

Scott Frost turned the team around before heading to his alma mater Nebraska, and Josh Heupel has taken over and kept them moving in the right direction. In 2018 they went undefeated again before losing in the bowl game.

This past year they drilled Stanford at home, but did come up short at Pittsburgh and lost conference games against Cincinnati and Tulsa. Even with the losses, UCF is still a tough out right now. They play a quick pace on offense that a lot of defenses struggle against. They are a fun team to watch and would be great to get to Bloomington.

The Golden Knights have struggled to find Power Five schools to play them and would probably be up for a home and home with the Hoosiers. It would be a great way for the Hoosiers to play in the state of Florida where they recruit so well. It would also be fun to get UCF to come to play on the road.

UCF, like Boise State, would be a very good win and would not hurt the Hoosiers that much if they lost. It is a win-win for both teams and something that should happen. Maybe if the Hoosiers win they can call themselves national champion. Yes, that is supposed to be a joke.

Next. 3 breakout players for next year. dark

Indiana is building itself up and if it really wants to be taken seriously it needs to start challenging themselves outside of the Big Ten. Continuing to just play MAC schools and struggling teams is not going to do it.

Let’s hope the Hoosiers get some imagination and try and schedule some fresh teams. It wouldn’t hurt by starting with the ones on this list.

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