Insight Bowl notebook

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Hoosiers have had the chance to experience the pleasure of being a part of a bowl game. With less than 24 hours to kickoff, IU must now get down to the business of playing Oklahoma State.\nArriving four days before the game, the IU players have had ample time to bond with one another while preparing for their clash with the Cowboys. \nHighlighted by junior wide receiver James Bailey’s impersonation of IU coach Bill Lynch, the Hoosiers took part in several bonding experiences in the days leading to the Insight Bowl.\n“I thought he was Coach Lynch for a second,” said senior cornerback Tracy Porter. “He did a great job going up there and imitating Coach Lynch. For a second, I thought we were going to get a motivational speech.” \nCowboys respect Hoosiers…\nOklahoma State coach Mike Gundy noted several times the respect he had for the Hoosiers and their coaching staff. Gundy complimented junior wide receiver James Hardy, sophomore quarterback Kellen Lewis and the entire IU staff during Sunday’s press conference. \nGundy went as far as to say he thought more of IU’s team this year than of the Cowboys bowl opponent last year – a team typically known as a football powerhouse.\n“They are a better team right now than Alabama was at this time last year,” Gundy said.\n…And the Hoosiers respect the Cowboys\nLynch returned the compliments back towards OSU, comparing the offensive unit to the offense of Rose Bowl bound Illinois \n“Both have great tailbacks that were right at the top of their conferences,” Lynch said. “Good quarterbacks that could run and throw and very athletic offensive lines.”\nBig Ten Pride\nThrough three games, the Big Ten stands at 2-1 in bowl games. The Insight Bowl is one of five bowl games left featuring a Big Ten team.\nLynch said the team recognizes they are their conference, but it shouldn’t mean any extra added pressure during the game.\n “I don''t think there is any question, when you get to this time of year you are pulling for all your Big Ten counterparts,” Lynch said. “We certainly keep a close eye on that…So, yeah, we''re not going to put any pressure on ourselves for any reason. We are going to go play the game. But we certainly know we''re representing the Big Ten and proud to be doing that.”