I've really been vocal for over 50 years about how much I absolutely loathe and hate IU fans. In basketball. Personal horrible experiences proved that. But in football?
Well, even IU fans can say they were the worst power 5 team in history until a couple year ago when Cignetti changed the culture. I've no issue with the IU football supporter, they're halfway decently respectful because they sucked for so long. So they got no bone to pick with anyone in football.
I've actually said what was happening at IU should be positive for EVERY power conference team that has had little to no success. IU proves you can change things in today's era very quickly, and become one of the best - with the right coach.
So seeing them do well is still excouraging to me because they are proving it isnt a one off or a fluke. I'd LOVE to see a UK IU title or/playoff game? That would be insanely alternate bizarro universe awesome.
What 99% of fans don't do is simply focus on their team to do well, get better as a program year after year, gamew after game, and keep things in the NOW. The past is the past. The future, nobody knows.
Keeping focus on yourself and shutting out the talk and fan/expert prognostications and overreatcions every day and every week does NOTHING for any team to improve themselves.
What Stein has done is completely change the program's look and feel, and direction. It's undeniable now.
So we can be respectful and positive at the same time, and I personally have no need to hate on any other team.....
EXCEPT LOUISVILLE.
In-state ******* fans we have to deal with everywhere, and in either football or basketball or volleyball or tiddly winks, those insufferable arrogant asshats need us Kentucky fans to keep them in check, if not for the sake of the rest of the country.
Louisville fans deserve it, they've earned it. A forever sports hate from their biggest in-state rival.
This year has already become very very special and bodes well for the future, but we need to keep it in the now in order for us to continue moving forward as a program. I try to remember that for myself, and not overreact to any single game.
It works for me, anyway
Go Big Blue !