IU not looking ahead as team enters Big Ten play

Historically speaking, IU isn’t supposed to do well in the Big Ten.\nThe last time the Hoosiers finished first in the conference – and in turn went to its only Rose Bowl – was in 1967. But with a slightly weaker Big Ten this year – and arguably one of the more talented IU football teams in recent years – nothing is out of the realm of possibility.\n“We all talk about what a crazy year it’s been in college football,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “We go back, the start of every college football year is crazy. There’s things that happen all the time that you can’t believe happen and maybe a couple of them happen a little closer to home. But as the season goes on, I think things will calm out a bit and the really good football teams will be really good.”\nA couple of weeks into the season, traditional Big Ten powers have not looked like themselves. Michigan State, Illinois, Purdue, Northwestern and Minnesota look like middle-of-the-road teams and have yet to gain national attention. The only team winning soundly to this point is Penn State – a team the Hoosiers play at home this year.\nHowever, it is just September, and it is too early to predict how the conference season will play out. Lynch knows this all too well and is telling his team they haven’t done anything yet.\nAll of the players refused to answer any questions regarding Big Ten teams until they play Illinois on Sept. 22.\n“Well honestly, we can’t look too far ahead,” junior wide receiver James Hardy said Sept. 12. “After this week, then we can evaluate what we need to do to the next week.”\nThe last time IU reached a bowl game was in 1993. They played in the Independence Bowl and were throttled 45-20 by No. 22 Virginia Tech.\nBut could this year be different?\nThe Big Ten has players like Michigan’s Mario Manningham, Ohio State’s Jim Laurinitis and Wisconsin’s P.J. Hill. However, with some of the conference’s top teams coming out of the gate, there exists the possibility for other teams to jump in and take advantage of opportunities – possibly teams like IU.\nThe Hoosiers play seven home games this season. Their remaining road games are at Iowa (Sept. 29), at Michigan State (Oct. 13), at Wisconsin (Oct. 27) and at Northwestern (Nov. 10). Of those teams, only the Badgers were named one of the pre-season Top three teams in the Big Ten. Not to mention, IU does not play Michigan or Ohio State this year.\nAnd though Big Ten play has just begun, the Hoosiers are counting down the games.\n“I’m excited for it,” said sophomore defensive lineman Greg Middleton. “I didn’t get to play much in the Big Ten last year, so I’m looking forward to making some plays.”\nIn preparation for playing against Big Ten schools this year, the Hoosiers opened their season against two Mid-American Conference schools. \nThough MAC schools are not perennial national powerhouses such as Michigan or Ohio State, Hardy said he has noticed the differences between the two conferences.\n“MAC teams are more hungry, more determined,” Hardy said. “They feel they should be able to play in the Big Ten. So for the most part, I think that they have a grudge on their shoulder to try and prove to us that they’re better than us.”\nWhile the excitement of playing Big Ten opponents and possibly reaching a bowl game will drive the Hoosiers in the coming weeks, so does playing against certain teams.\nFor Middleton, the team he wants to play against the most was a no-brainer.\n“Purdue,” Middleton said. “I committed there (initially), or whatever, and it’s a long story.”