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‘Writing’s on the wall’ for Tom Allen, Indiana football if unsuccessful in 2023

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10 months ago

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The Indiana football program is 6-18 in the past two seasons and 2023 could go a long way in flipping the current narrative of IU. (Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports)

As the Indiana football program enters the 2023 season, it’s a critical few months for the program and especially head coach Tom Allen.

A 6-18 record over the past two seasons looms large for Allen, especially with the lack of promise or excitement that the team has generated.

It was just three years ago that Indiana wrapped up a covid-shortened season to bring the program to a 14-7 record over the 2019 and 2020 seasons. And while the discussion has been that those seasons were ‘flukes’, 2023 can do a lot to change the thoughts nationally as well as alter the current trajectory of the program and Allen’s tenure.

So, entering the season Indiana is a program under ‘varying levels of pressure’.

“It’s Indiana, so the Hoosiers aren’t going to get the same scorching spotlight nationally as some of the other programs in this list of teams under pressure. However, the writing’s on the wall for Tom Allen if he stumbles to another stinker this fall,” 247Sports national reporter Brad Crawford wrote. “Since Allen’s mega contract extension in March 2021 that followed back-to-back strong seasons, the Hoosiers have flatlined at 6-18 overall. To make matters worse, his former quarterback — Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. — is now a Heisman candidate ahead of his senior season in the Pac-12. If Allen is fired without cause before Dec. 1, 2024, the buyout is going to be large (around $20 million). That’s a hefty price tag for the Hoosiers.

“Could a third-straight bad season prompt the program to make a change? The schedule is brutal for a team that may not be favored in any Big Ten game.”

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Indiana has totaled just a 2-16 Big Ten record over the last two years and this year won’t get any easier. As it currently stands, Indiana is projected to be underdogs in nine games.

A large reason for the recent struggles has been the lack of attention to detail and lack of mental and physical toughness. ‘Toughness’ — in both aspects — is the messaging Allen and the Indiana football staff are focused on portraying to the team this offseason.

“I feel like we made progress. I really wanted to develop our toughness as a team. That’s a huge priority,” Allen said during Spring practice. “… It’s all going to be fourth quarter driven. It’s all going to be how we’re going to finish in the fourth quarter from a physical perspective. To be able to dominate your opponent in that situation. Win those third downs, win those critical downs. And you have to have an expectation that I don’t get tired. They’re the ones that get tired. That has to be built, and that’s over the summertime.”

There’s no question 2023 needs to be a turnaround season and while that doesn’t necessarily mean a winning record, showing a lot of competitiveness and pushing for a potential bowl game would go a long way in flipping the current narrative associated with the program.

SEE ALSO: ‘It’s home.’: Tayven Jackson details transfer to Indiana football and expectations in 2023

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated on Twitter @Indiana_FRN and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. 

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Alec Lasley is the owner of Hoosier Illustrated, a comprehensive site covering news, updates and recruiting for Indiana University athletics. Alec has covered Indiana for six years and is a credentialed media member. He has previously worked for both Rivals and 247Sports.

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