Indiana Hoosiers vs. FIU Golden Panthers—Hoosier Huddle

Series History: The Hoosiers and Golden Panthers will be playing for the fourth-time with Indiana a perfect 3-0 in the series. The first contest occurred in 2015 as Kevin Wilson’s IU topped squad Ron Turner’s Golden Panthers 36-22 in Bloomington. IU traveled to Miami in 2016, Tom Allen’s first season in charge. The Hoosiers beat FIU 34-13. The most recent meeting in 2018 as Tom Allen’s team knocked off a very game FIU team led by Butch Davis, 38-28. Indiana has won all three games in the series but it would be fair to say the Golden Panthers have made IU work and really challenged the Hoosiers in two of those three contests.

What’s at Stake: First things first, the Indiana Hoosiers need to sweep the non-conference slate (3-0) to feel good about reaching the six wins required for a bowl bid. Beating the Florida International Golden Panthers is a requirement for Indiana to have what most would consider a successful season. If taken in a broader context, this game is a massive first step in a new era for Indiana University Football and a loss would be disastrous for fan morale and perception. IU fans have been kicked, knocked down and then kicked again over and over. Buying in and believing that “this year will be different” gets mighty difficult after decades of “Lucy pulling the football away from Charlie Brown.” There are a lot of reasons to believe that this time will indeed be different. Those reasons are as follows: Curt Cignetti, Mike Shanahan, Bryant Haines, etc. (the rest of the coaching staff). This staff knows what it takes to win and has the results to prove it. A win and a good performance in week one would go a long way towards strengthening the elusive “buy-in” many diehard and casual IU Football fans are withholding until seeing some success.

A FEW THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Is the Passing Game Ready?

This was touched on in Hoosier Huddle’s “Matchup to Watch” article and it was featured for a reason. IU desperately needs more from the offense and the passing game has to be much better for things to then open up for the running game. The Hoosiers brought in multiple transfer pass-catchers, veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke and have a new scheme that produces big-time passing numbers. Can IU’s offensive line, under retained position coach Bob Bostad, provide a clean pocket for Rourke? Is Rourke healthy and can he quickly shake any rust to provide the sharp performance UI needs? What does the receiver rotation look like? FIU has a veteran secondary but this is a defense the Hoosiers should find some success against and begin to build confidence in their new attack.

2. New Defense Hopes to Impress

In reviewing the statistical profile and past games of defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, IU fans are hoping they get to watch a defense that resembles the attacking nature of the Kane Wommack era teams that were so fun to watch. Those teams consistently got into the opponent’s backfield and created “havoc” plays. It was not perfect but it was more effective than what has been on the field since Wommack departed. IU fans will be watching more than just a new scheme though. Hoosier fans will be introduced to several new starters and contributors. Mikail Kamara, CJ West and James Carpenter should start on the defensive line, Aiden Fisher and Jailin Walker will start at linebacker, D’Angelo Ponds could be a star corner and there are a number of new safeties and cornerbacks ready to play. Young quarterback Keyone Jenkins is an exciting playmaker and the Golden Panthers have a decent stable of running backs but this is an offensive line IU “should” be able to push around and cause some havoc against.

3. Light the Cig

I cannot overstate how important it is for Indiana’s hiring of Curt Cignetti to work. Cignetti is a proven and consistent winner that comes to Indiana with the explicit stated goal of winning games and turning the Hoosiers into a threat in the Big Ten. In the quickly-changing landscape of collegiate sports, IU cannot afford to continue to be a bottom-feeder in the Big Ten. If the Indiana University administration cannot provide the support and investment needed to help Curt Cignetti turn the Hoosiers into a consistent bowl team, or at least a competent program, IU could get left behind in whatever the next iteration of the sport is. That would significantly impact not only football, it would impact the entire athletic department. This is step one of a long journey to relevance and UI cannot afford to have this go sideways.

Other Links From the Week

Hoosier Huddle Podcast: Hoosiers vs. FIU Preview

Know Your Opponent: FIU Golden Panthers

IU Will Raise the Victory Flag Against FIU If…

A New Era: Numbers to Know as Indiana Kicks Off Against FIU

Matchup to Watch: Week One – IU’s Passing Attack Against Florida International’s Defense.