Indiana University’s football program, long considered an underdog in the Big Ten, faces a stark reality in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff race: their fatal flaw is an inability to win crucial, high-pressure games. While the Hoosiers have made strides in recent years, climbing out of the depths of mediocrity and becoming competitive in a conference that’s long been dominated by juggernauts like Ohio State and Michigan, the glaring weakness in their armor is their lack of poise when it matters most. It’s a fatal flaw that will doom their playoff hopes, no matter how much they fight.
The Hoosiers’ 2024 season began with high hopes. Head coach Tom Allen, known for his defensive acumen, had built a team capable of surprising even the most established programs. With a capable quarterback in Jack Tuttle, explosive running backs like Jaylin Lucas, and a defense led by hard-hitting linebacker Dasan McCullough, Indiana looked like a program ready to break into the upper echelon of college football.
However, as the season progressed, a pattern emerged: when Indiana faced top-tier competition, particularly in late-game situations, they faltered. They could win the easy games, the ones against teams that lacked the depth or quality to compete for playoff spots, but in critical moments against championship-caliber squads, they couldn’t execute under pressure. A narrow loss to Michigan in early November was a case study. Leading by three with just over two minutes left, Indiana’s defense—normally a strength—crumbled under the pressure. Michigan drove 80 yards in less than a minute, taking the lead and leaving the Hoosiers with no time to respond.
In another pivotal matchup against Ohio State, Indiana’s offense, which had been efficient for most of the season, struggled in the second half. Tuttle, under relentless pressure from Ohio State’s defense, threw two costly interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, turning a close game into a decisive defeat. It was the same story they had seen in previous seasons: a team that could be competitive but couldn’t close when it mattered.
This issue was compounded by a lack of elite playmaking at key positions. While their offensive line had improved, it still couldn’t match the ferocity and talent of the best programs in the country. Against teams like Ohio State, the Hoosiers’ line was often pushed around, forcing Tuttle to rush his throws or scramble under pressure. The lack of a true playmaking wide receiver who could consistently create separation in big moments left the offense one-dimensional, making it easier for elite defenses to shut them down.
In the College Football Playoff landscape, where every game is a battle for survival, Indiana’s inability to step up in critical moments is a dealbreaker. Playoff teams are defined by their ability to perform under the brightest lights, to thrive when the stakes are highest. Unfortunately for Indiana, they’ve repeatedly proven that they are not quite ready for that level of pressure. Their style of play, while gritty and disciplined, lacks the explosive, game-changing moments that make championship-caliber teams so dangerous. The Hoosiers simply don’t have the depth or the star power to overcome that fatal flaw, and no matter how hard they try in the 2024-25 season, it will ultimately cost them a shot at the playoff.
The heartbreaking losses to Michigan and Ohio State will haunt them as the selection committee reviews playoff hopefuls. In a sport where perfection is demanded, and where every mistake is magnified, Indiana’s inability to close out games will leave them on the outside looking in, once again. It’s a flaw that has plagued them for years, and it will prove to be their undoing in 2024.