You don't know much about IU football. Penix didn't play against OSU. Backup QB finished the game at MD and went the distance at Nebraska. He took an illegal targeting shot to the chest and played hurt. We lost Cronk early from our OL and were without Stepaniak against Nebraska. Littlejohn has missed time as well. On defense we lost Thomas Allen jr. for the year during the game and had already lost 2 other key defensive players with another retiring from football.
We have a had a lot of injuries. We just have better young depth ready to play. True freshman Bedford replaced Cronk and has done a good job. He will be special for the next 3 years. Crider filled in for Littlejohn and we didn't miss a beat.
Nebraska talked before the game about how they should win because 15/22 of our starters were freshmen or sophomores. That bodes well for our future especially if Cronk wants to redshirt and return next year.
We are 6-2 with a young team that will return next year with most of our skilled players. You have Moore and Bell. We have Philyor, Fryfogle, Marshall and Ellis as young players getting a lot of playing time.and production at WR. Our TE Hendershot will set records under DeBoer's TE friendly offense and has Bjorson as a capable second TE when needed. Stevie Scott is a soph along with Walker. OSU flipped freshman Sampson James is going to be a good back with Scott.
On defense, we have young players like Cam Jones, Mullen, Miller, Burgess, Taylor, Williams, Ziemba and the freshman I can't spell or pronounce his name. They all have 2 or 3 years left.
I expect to see IU flip some verbal commits. We are winning a year before most of us thought we would. We have good skilled players returning and have shown we can win with youth. I expect our recruiting class to end up in the 30s or better. Allen's last two classes have been IU's two best ever. I fully expect the success of this year to be sustainable. We have a 4 star starting QB plus a 2 year starter in Ramsey as a backup. We have a 4 star freshman as a 3rd string. I hope they all come back next year, but we have another good 3 star that has verbally committed. I doubt they all are on the roster next year, but it would be a great QB room if they do.