After years and years of losing and disappointment, Indiana University football is making waves, and it’s all thanks to new head coach Curt Cignetti, who took the reins after leaving James Madison University this offseason. The Hoosiers have been putting up crazy amounts of points, putting up 52 last week against Charlotte, 42 on the road at UCLA, and a whopping 77 at home against Western Illinois. IU’s electric team led by the senior Ohio transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke is turning heads around the Big Ten and could be on the way to an impressive debut season for Coach Cignetti.

Cignetti’s new game play and staff have turned what used to be a pitiful offense into a high-scoring threat, with standout performances from running backs Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton and a rebuffed offensive line creating opportunities for big plays. The confidence on the field is contagious, and the team is thriving.

However, while Indiana’s offensive fireworks have been impressive, the first true test of their season is just around the corner. This week, IU football has their first real test, taking on 3-1 Maryland at home. This is just the second conference opponent for Indiana this year, and the first opponent with some real playmakers. Maryland is quarterbacked by junior Billy Edwards Jr., who has already thrown for 1,150 yards this season. The defense will definitely deal with more adversity than it has so far this season, and it will be interesting to see how they deal with the pressure.

If the Hoosiers can continue their scoring dominance against Maryland, they will begin to solidify their place as contenders in the Big Ten. With the new 12  team playoff format in the NCAA this year, IU football stands a fair chance of being included in the postseason battle. As of now, the Hoosiers are given about a 23% chance of making the playoffs, higher than some notable teams in college football, such as Michigan and LSU. All eyes are on this fresh and exciting roster, and the ceiling is extremely high, but will the Hoosiers deliver? That remains to be seen.