You've got to circle the wagons, Coach Lynch

Dear Coach Lynch,\nI come to you as an IU student and a self-proclaimed voice of the fans. \nThe last few days have been tough on us, Coach. Our hearts and prayers are with coach Terry Hoeppner and his family, but our minds are fixed on this Saturday. Anyone basking under the Bloomington sun knows the Hoosiers need to win all four of their nonconference games this season. Behind four straight wins, this team could drive its Believe Train head-on into the Big Ten schedule -- making stops only to mark victories. \nThe worst-kept secret in Quarry Land is that there are more students tailgating outside the stadium at 8 a.m. than there are inside the stadium at kickoff. Most of this student body may not be able to embrace this football team, but damn it, these players can embrace you -- their coach. \nThey should, and they must.\nYou have been handed the reigns, Coach. The General is gone, and it's time to circle the wagons.\nCircle the wagons. Grab the ammunition. Band together. Fight. \nThe fire fueling this team has been at a slow simmer, and it's time for you to spark the kerosene and ignite a fight. \nWe need you to do it, Coach. \nDo it for the people of Bloomington, who, like linemen impeding a running back, have wrapped their arms around this football team and still hold on tight to hope despite these tumultuous times. \nDo it for the fans who stay in the stadium long after the final whistle blows -- who won't leave until every IU player has trotted into the locker room. \nDo it for the players who have offered this program their blood, sweat and tears from the first stretching exercise of practice to the last wind sprint of conditioning. \nDo it for the student body that has never believed in this team. These students, year after year, have buried the Hoosiers' chances as they bury their heads underneath several pillows, only surfacing to hit the snooze on their alarm clocks.\nIn fact, Coach, forget it. Don't do it for the town of Bloomington. Don't do it for the fans. Don't do it for the players. Certainly don't do it for this student body.\nDo it for Coach Hep, whose divine character and devout faith in this team knows no bounds -- not even those between the chalked white lines. \nThis is your job, Coach.\nCircle the wagons. Grab the ammunition. Band together. Fight. Win. \nSo I guess one, simple question remains: Who will start at quarterback? Blake Powers or Kellen Lewis?\nGood luck, Coach. Now that you're the conductor of this train, it's time for you to make us believe.\nSincerely,\nYour local football columnist