Operation Sports Forums - Never Daunted: An Indiana Hoosiers Dynasty (NCAA 14)

Yearly recap, copied from the "How's Your Dynasty Going" thread.

2013
IU finished well above expectations in coach Pate's first year. The Hoosiers went 7-5 in the regular season, with the biggest win coming against #1 Ohio State at the Horseshoe, 17-14. The win saw IU climb to #19 in the polls, which would be short lived as IU fell to Wisconsin the following week. Other games of note include a loss in the Oaken Bucket game to Purdue, and a narrow loss at Michigan as time expired before the Hoosiers could get a play off inside the Michigan 5. IU would defeat West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas, giving the Hoosiers their first bowl victory since 1991.

2014
Coming off of a strong 2013 season, the 2014 Hoosiers under-preformed, going 6-6 in the regular season. Notable games include a blow-out loss to Michigan State at MetLife Stadium and a victory over Purdue in the bucket game. IU once again received a bid to the Meineke Car Care Bowl, this time facing off against Alabama. Despite a good fight by the Hoosiers, the Crimson Tide proved too much for Indiana, beating IU and dropping Indiana's record to 6-7.

2015
Indiana began the 2015 season looking contend in Big Ten play. However, the season would be filled with injuries that would derail IU's plan for contention. After an impressive 6-2 start to the season, the Hoosiers would (almost literally) limp to the finish line, losing their next 4 games to end the regular season 6-6 for the second year in a row. IU's 6 wins would be enough for a bowl birth, however, and the Hoosiers traveled south to play Georgia in the Gator Bowl. Again the Hoosiers would provide tough competition, but were simply outmatched by the Bulldogs, who would deal Indiana its fifth loss in as many games, leaving the Hoosiers yet again with a 6-7 record.

2016
The Hoosiers felt the blow of graduation in 2016, and as a result, Indiana was projected to finish dead last in the East division of the Big Ten. Through the first 4 games of the season, it looked like the experts would be right, as IU began the season 0-4, with home losses to USF, Kentucky, and Iowa, and a narrow loss to Illinois on the road. The Hoosiers caught a break by defeating Wake Forest and Purdue at home, giving IU a 2-4 record heading into East Lansing for a battle with the #23 Spartans. In a stark contrast to previous games with MSU, defense ruled the day, and Indiana was able to defeat Sparty 10-7 on a field goal as time expired, giving coach Pate his first victory in the Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon. The celebration would be short lived, however, as Indiana would suffer a 28-21 reality check the next week courtesy of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. The loss left Indiana 3-5, meaning Indiana would need to win 3 of their final 4 games to be bowl eligible, with 3 of those games coming against ranked opponents. IU would begin a three game home stand by easily beating Maryland, cutting the Hoosiers' magic number to 2. #11 Michigan would be the next battle for the Hoosiers, and Indiana would not let the Bloomington faithful down, pulling off a 35-14 upset over the Wolverines. Indiana was now within one win from the postseason, as #22 Ohio State came to Memorial Stadium. For the second week in a row, Indiana would upset their favored opponent, this time beating the Buckeyes 28-23, giving Indiana their sixth win on the year. Indiana would continue their giant-killing streak by knocking off #14 Penn State in Happy Valley, 24-21 in a game that was not as close as the final score would suggest. The 7-5 Hoosiers would face their toughest opponent in the Outback Bowl in #12 South Carolina. IU would again prove they had turned the corner, knocking off the Gamecocks 20-17 on a last-second field goal, giving IU their second bowl win in 4 years, and coach Pate's first win over an SEC school.

2017
Expectations are at an all-time high in Bloomington, as the Hoosiers look to contend for a Big Ten title. Indiana started the 2017 campaign ranked #23, and after wins against Louisville, Kansas State, and UMass, with an average margin of victory of 23.6 points, have risen to #17 in the polls. The 3-0 Hoosiers open Big Ten play at The Rock against 3-0, #21 Iowa.

The #17 Hoosiers opened Big Ten play at home against #21 Iowa. This game looked to be a match up between two different offensive styles, with Iowa's powerful passing attack going against Indiana's high-powered ground game. It looked like Iowa's passing game would challenge the Hoosier secondary early on, as Iowa looked to be en route to the endzone before a deep pass would be intercepted at the IU 10 yard line. Indiana would march down the field and draw first blood, going up 7-0 early. Iowa's second possession looked promising as well, but a clipping penalty would ultimately lead to the drive stalling, and Iowa had to settle for 3. Indiana would answer back with a field goal of their own right before halftime, giving the Cream and Crimson a 10-3 lead at the break.

The second half would belong to the Hoosiers, who would add 3 touchdowns to their total, only allowing one field goal by the Hawkeyes. The IU defense would never allow the potent Hawkeye offense into the endzone, as Indiana would lead wire-to-wire, advancing to 4-0 and 1-0 in conference play by knocking off #21 Iowa, 31-6.

Indiana now sits at #13 in the polls, and will enter a bye week before packing their bags for a trip to Madison to play Wisconsin, who is currently unranked.

The bye week was kind to the Hoosiers, as Indiana jumped from #13 to #6 in the polls for their date with Wisconsin. Indiana seemed to be on their way to an easy win, shutting out Wisco in the first half. The Badgers would respond out of the halftime break, however, making the game competitive, but would ultimately be unable to overcome the deficit, and Indiana would advance to 5-0 with a 21-14 victory.

Indiana returned home for a showdown with their hated rival Purdue Boilermakers in the Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. Purdue came into the game heavy underdogs, having won only one game on the year and an 0-3 record in Big Ten play. Indiana, on the other hand, had risen to #4 in the polls, and looked to win their 4th straight bucket game. By all accounts, Indiana was poised for an easy win.

But that's why they play the game. Despite racking up 285 yards rushing, Indiana's passing game was completely shut down by Purdue's defense. IU threw 4 interceptions and recorded only 5 total passing yards. By the time the Hoosiers found the endzone for the first time late in the 4th quarter, the damage had been done. Purdue would recover the ensuing onside kick and run out the clock, pulling off the huge upset. The Oaken Bucket will travel north to West Lafayette as Purdue wins, 20-16.

Indiana now stands at 5-1 on the season, with the loss knocking the Hoosiers all the way down to #17 in the polls. IU will look to recover as they host the 3-3 Michigan State Spartans in the Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon.

2017 Schedule
vs Louisville- W 38-14
@ Kansas State- W 30-7
vs UMass- W 38-14
vs Iowa- W 31-6
@ Wisconsin- W 21-14
vs Purdue- L 20-16
vs Michigan State
vs Rutgers
@ Maryland
@ Michigan
@ Ohio State
vs Penn State