The Kamikaze Kid

I hope defensive savant Lanning studies every play by Indy’s D and incorporates as much as possible. The balance between gutsy and disciplined was flawless. I think this year’s plan of safe and smothering worked well against the BIG’s low octane offenses but didn’t generate near enough pressure on Indy. If anybody can figure out the safe but aggressive balance, Dan can. The offense needs to play like they have dangerous weapons at every level because they do. Long methodical drives have their place for sure but relying on them too much invites something to go wrong. Doubling Penn States yardage but being tied 3-3 or tripling Iowa’s and being behind needs to be a thing of the past. OBD are the too early number one team already. They have the players to play like it. I just hope they have the coaches to be coached like it.

False start gives Mario a life line.

The Indy D have forgotten that they’re the Indy D.

Wow. That was a Heisman moment!

Starting to look like an Oregon game for Indy. Dominating everywhere but the scoreboard.

Indy moving the ball well so far.

Coach Cig will absolutely make Mario look like … um …. well… like Mario.

Indy 38-13 3 TOs 4 sacks 315 passing yards

I was excited about this one at first but the more I think about it, the cost of bringing him aboard could create needless tension in the locker room. I'd rather see them focus on D Line and linebacker depth.

The Ducks should be the preseason number one team or at least top three. They have the most stacked QB room in the country. Their receiver room also has to be top five. They should be able to get any QB coach they want. Let Mehringer stick with his strengths as Tight end coach while trying on the new hat of OC.

I don’t know anything about the promotion of Mehringer to OC and will trust Lanning on that one. I am nervous about switching him to QB coach. With Dante’s return and the star studded depth behind him and an absolutely stacked receiver room, I’m sure we could get the best QB coach in the country.

I'd prefer a sixteen team playoff with a sixteen team NIT playoff. Dan's format for home games and schedule that ends around New Year's Day. I'd also suggest that first round losers be eligible for bowl games if those still end up being a thing. I think an NIT tournament would be cool so the rest of the country could be included in the fun and not just be for the same ten teams every year with a few sacrificial lambs thrown in.

In 2023 Washington was that team. A great coach with a great QB and receivers and a roster filled with seniors that decided to run it back one more time. In 2024 tOSU was that team. A near NFL ready offense and defense with a sketchy floor but also a spectacular vaulted ceiling. In 2025 Indiana is that team. A roster stacked with 5th and 6th year seniors and awesome coach and a Heisman QB. The 2026 Ducks are starting to look like that team. A large group of NFL ready players deciding to run it back one more time, a four and five star roster at every position and even with a mass exodus to the portal, a two deep with four stars at every position. As for the coach? He is 17-1 in the BIG including 9-0 on the road. I know that SUC is the undisputed wait till next season champions but I think things are shaping up nicely for the Ducks to make a real run at a Natty.

Are stars lining up?

Great news. Now to bring in an elite level QB coach.