The recent Reddit post by a user named its_LOL stirred up quite the conversation in the college football community, focusing on Indiana’s impressive 11-2 record for the 2024 season. With the only losses coming from Ohio State and Notre Dame—two teams that are now facing off in the National Championship—the post raises an intriguing question: Was Indiana the third-best team in the country? Users flocked to comment on this, sharing their thoughts on Indiana’s performance and comparing it with other teams.
Summary
- Indiana’s standout 2024 season countered against teams that are now in the National Championship.
- Fans debated if Indiana’s performance positions them as the third-best team.
- Comments reflect a mix of admiration for Indiana’s scheduling strategy and nostalgia about their previous seasons.
- Several users pointed out the broader implications regarding conference strength and playoff formats.
The Indiana Surprise
It’s not every day that Indiana football finds itself in the national conversation, but the team’s remarkable 11-2 record in the 2024 season did just that. The fact that Indiana managed to hold their ground against the two best teams in the country—Ohio State and Notre Dame—has certainly raised eyebrows. “They also beat Michigan, who beat Ohio State and Alabama,” one user, Jedi_Sith1812, pointed out, adding to the intrigue of Indiana’s standing in the national picture. It’s these surprising victories, particularly in tough matchups, that have led many to argue that maybe, just maybe, the Hoosiers are the dark horse of college football.
Debating Rankings and Legacy
The conversation took a deeper dive into the implications of Indiana’s season within the broader ranking system. While some fans celebrated Indiana’s achievement, others, like user Benyeti, raised the hypothetical question of whether Alabama could’ve triumphed over them. This raises an interesting notion about the strength of conference play. As an Indiana supporter might say, any team that plays tough competition should be rewarded for it. But are the rankings based solely on performance against the top teams or on overall strength of schedule? These questions stirred a debate and led to explorations of historical parallels, raising the stakes for Indiana’s legacy.
Scheduling Genius or Lucky Break?
The quality of teams Indiana faced this season seems to have played a pivotal role in their outcome. With Indiana playing this season’s and last season’s national champions and runners-up, it becomes more evident how their scheduling created both hurdles and opportunities. “Indiana played this season’s and last season’s national champions AND runners-up and went 2-2 in those games,” noted user FlickerBicker, which underlines the impressive nature of their matchups this year. Given the fierce competition, it’s fair to argue that Indiana’s resiliency could set them up for future victories, should their schedule continue to challenge them.
The Comment Section Showdown
The lively comment section is where the real magic occurred. Many users shared their anecdotes, followed by slights about Indiana’s past seasons and coaching transitions. Several comments reflected on how quickly the community turned against coach Cignetti during tough moments earlier in the season. User Ill_Ad_4429 lamented, “Remember how quickly this entire subreddit turned on Cignetti and tried to bury him and Indiana late in the season? You guys should feel bad.” It’s interesting to see how the public sentiment ebbs and flows based on the team’s performance. It goes without saying that if the team had faltered, discussions here would likely be filled with regret and frustration. Instead, they are buoyed by hope and triumph.
From lively debates about rankings to discussions surrounding the coaching strategies and schedules, the conversation about Indiana’s 2024 season offers a rich tapestry of insight. With the National Championship game just around the corner, the spirit of this debate might carry forth into the culmination of the football season. College sports often embody the rollercoaster of emotions, and in the case of Indiana, we continue to see just how passionate fans can be when discussing their team’s accomplishments and what lies ahead.