Unprecedented territory can be an understatement.
Since October 1987, Bloomington, Indiana, has not seen a match between two Top-20 College Football Programs, when De Hoosiers organized Michigan.
The three-decenia long series ends on Saturday evening when no. 9 visits Illinois to compete against no. 19 Indiana.
A sale was announced on July 31 and changed the week four collision between two rising programs in more than just a conference opener.
Fans and national media call it a big problem, but Indiana remains steadfast in his message: it’s just a different game.
“This is just another game for me,” said defending Lineman Kellen Wyatt on Tuesday. “I don’t really see it as a big game.”
As a team, Indiana has a wealth of great playing experience. In the case of Wyatt, however, it is the first time that the veteran transfer has taken the field in a ranked-vs game.
Maryland’s transfer is going in his fourth season of Big Ten Voetbal. Admittedly, he acknowledges that he has a lack of experience in highly promoted things, but knows the emotions surrounding the game.
Wyatt knows that Vlinders will fill his belly on the game day while he and the team sit together. Those butterflies, although uncomfortable, mean a huge excitement for Wyatt while he starts his first conference home game with IU.
Wyatt does not irritate the pressure of the outdoor noise and bright lights. It will help him stay composed and to rely on the skills and instincts that positively influence the performance of his team.
“It’s nice to, you know, always a big game like this, you know, you feel that you are playing much looser,” said Wyatt. “You feel that there are many eyes on you, what they are. And yes, if you play in big games, people start to see them.”
Wyatt is one of the few defending players with a limited experience in a high-stakes competition. Defensive Lineman Mikail Kamara has seen a lot of “big game” promotion. The veteran has delivered on high-stakes at times, making it a stable presence on the field.
Both of Indianas ranked matchups last season came on the road in hostile, energetic environments. Kamara has six tackles in the losses in those games.
This time, the Hoosiers have a home field advantage and a long-awaited opportunity that is feeding excitement for the all-American in previous season.
Kamara has always imagined to play in large environments.
He expected to play in large matches such as these after making the move with head coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana. A sold -out crowd only contributes to the excitement he had expected.
“That is, that’s true, something you dream of as a child, right?” Said Kamara. “Playing on Saturday evening, the lights are on because the weather is beautiful, especially at home. It is certainly a dream.”
Eliminating outside “noise and junk” in the run-up to the game day has been a characteristic of the program-guided program.
National media members spent the low season with the aiming of Indiana and the power of the schedule. Pundits have remained critical despite the undamaged non-conference record of IU.
Kamara remains focused in his fourth season under Cignetti and successfully blocks the distractions accompanied by Big game pressure.
“I think, at least personally, I am not really worried about what other people have to say outside of this facility or dressing room,” said Kamara. “I see what they cheer for, I see what they do not really influence me.”
The two most important pregame shows will not be in Bloomington on Saturday morning.
ESPN’s College Gameday chose Miami vs Florida, while Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff chose Texas Tech vs Utah.
Cignetti does not seem to be bothered by what can be considered as a snub. Instead, his morning will be spent as he intends: focused on his team and the task that is obvious.
Even without pregame shows, he understands the importance of playing on NBC’s Big ten Saturday Night for a national audience.
His team may have to be in the Graduate Hotel all day, but the reward is 52,626 fans dressed in red, whom they all encourage.
A program record 11-game Home Win Streak is on the line this week. For Cignetti it is also an opportunity to open conference game with a statement victory.
“I am always focused on the game,” he said. “It will be a great environment and I know that our players will be enthusiastic. I’m looking forward to it.”
The conversation is aimed at the grim history around the program since Cignetti arrived.
More than 20 months later, Indiana Football has taken a colossal step forward. When Saturday night arrives and De Hoosiers takes the field, 1987 begins to feel as a distant memory.
A victory over Illinois would mean more than a 1-0 start in Big Tenpel -it would mark a determining moment of resurrection on the corner of 17th and Dunn.
On Saturday evening the time can be that Indiana, a program that is long defined by the past, begins a new tradition: winning.
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