Phil Steele gives forecast for Indiana in 2023

Indiana has an intriguing forecast for the 2023 season, according to Phil Steele. The Hoosiers might be able to return to the postseason this fall.

Tom Allen and staff had something going in 2019 and ‘20, but since then it’s been tough sledding. Back-to-back disappointing seasons led to Indiana being projected near the bottom of the Big Ten in 2023.

In his annual college football preview magazine, Steele took a look at the downward trajectory of Indiana from 2019 to now, but why the Hoosiers could bounce back.

“In 2019, Indy was No. 26 on my Experience Chart,” Steele wrote. “Indiana won its fourth straight Big Ten game for the first time since 1993. At 7-2, the Hoosiers got into the top 25 for the first time since 1994. Indiana got to eight wins and had a winning record in the Big Ten for the first time since 1993, despite QB (Michael) Penix missing even games. In ‘20, they were No. 51 on the Experience Chart. 

“Indiana defeated three ranked teams in the same season for the first time since 1945. THey have a seven-point loss to Ohio State and would have been in the Big Ten title game if not for a late rule change.”

That was a big highlight for Indiana football lately, but the last two years weren’t too kind for Allen and crew.

“They record back-to-back winning records in the Big Ten for the first time since 1969 and were No. 7 heading into the bowls,” Steele wrote. “Unfortunately, they came up just short of their first bowl win since 1991. In ‘21, they were ranked in the preseason for the first time since 1969 but had a very disappointing 2-10 season (first winless Big Ten season in 10 years).

“The Hoosiers opened 2022 at 3-0, but had close losses to Maryland and Rutgers and only improved to 4-8 and were -161 YGP in Big Ten play.”

But the program could be back on the upswing based on some young talent coming in.

“The 2022 recruiting class was their first ever top 30 class,” Steele wrote. “Indiana did become the first team in Division 1 history to lose 700 games. The Hoosiers lost 30 seniors and some other key players to the portal and brought in 25 transfers. 

“Indiana with just eight returning starts is last in the Big Ten at No. 123 on my Experience Chart, but if Tom Allen recapture his magic of ‘19 and ‘20, they could make a run at a bowl.”