B1G 2015// Indiana Cocktail Party

2014 was a great year for Indiana football. The Hoosiers retained the Old Oaken Bucket, beat a ranked team on the road for the first time in what feels like forever, had a 2,000 yard rusher, and also won the SEC East, an accomplishment that is very hard for any of its conference foes to match. What's that? Well, fine, Mr. "Real Talk", I'll tell it the other way. Doesn't sound nearly as good, though.

2014 was a terrible year for Indiana football. More than half the season saw a freshman quarterback who shouldn't have even seen the field this year starting after Nate Sudfeld got injured by Iowa, the great win against Missouri was preceded by a painful loss to Bowling Green the week before, even rushing for 2,000 yards couldn't get Tevin Coleman an invite to New York for the Heisman ceremony, and yet another season of Indiana football passed without a bowl game or even a .500 or better record.

Where did it all go wrong?

Right about there. Nearing the end of the first half against Iowa, Nate Sudfeld got sacked, but unlike every other hit Sudfeld took in 2014, this one did serious damage, either separating his shoulder, breaking his collarbone, or some combination of the two, ending his season. His backup, high school quarterback/converted linebacker Chris Covington, would finish the game, but between entering against Iowa and the following Tuesday (thankfully a bye week), Covington would tear his ACL, ending his season as well. While there would be some flashes of hope the rest of the way, Indiana (sitting at 3-2 before the Iowa game) would not win another game until the season finale against Purdue.

What went right?

Tevin Coleman, winning against Missouri, Tevin Coleman, playing tough with the eventual national champion, Tevin Coleman, Tevin Coleman again, and of course, this guy:

But mainly Tevin's run for 2,000. Only once all season was he held under 100 rushing yards, and I think pretty much everyone is happier forgetting that game happened (right, Penn State?).

Things to know about 2015

Key Losses: Tevin Coleman, Bobby Richardson, Shane Wynn, Colin Rahrig, Matt Dooley (NFL); Isaiah Roundtree, D'Angelo Roberts, Tim Bennett, Mark Murphy (graduation)

Key Additions: Jordan Howard, Marqui Hawkins (UAB transfers); Camion Patrick (JuCo transfer); 21 freshman rated 3 stars or better by Rivals and ESPN

The Schedule:

Do Mention:

Present ownership of the Old Oaken Bucket, how amazing the Bloomington campus looks, IU basketball (after October), Banners, Crimson and Cream

Don't Mention:

Historical ownership of the Old Oaken Bucket, how cold the Bloomington campus gets, IU basketball (before October), Dust, Old Gold and Black (Iowa fans excepted, but be very careful)

B1G 2015: INDIANA WEEK

MONDAY | Cocktail Party Preview (you are here)

TUESDAY | Personnel Files

WEDNESDAY | Indiana Potluck

THURSDAY | Wildcard

FRIDAY | Hate or Get Real