IU Football (helmet) Mania: Catch it!

It's the summer...It's sometimes difficult to find Purdue stuff to write about...but when a Purdue opponent or rival does something entertaining, we gotta give it a look.

Yesterday, a video of IU's players watching the unveiling of their FIVE new helmets was launched into the interwebnet ether and it became a Twitter hit.  That's right, Coach Wilson wanted to give his players one helmet for every win over the past two seasons as a well-earned reward...and the end result is entertaining.

Before I get into my biased look at IU's new looks, lemme say one thing in all seriousness- Fred Glass got part of this right, yet again.  He's doing everything he can to generate interest and energy into a sleepy football program...they've invested money, tried to innovate and have marketed a decidedly lousy product as much as possible.  And there have been more than fifty or sixty people in IU's Memorial Stadium...so his efforts aren't in vain.  But a few of these helmets are simply stabs in the dark.

The first option is what IU has had the last few seasons- crimson helmet, white "IU" and facemask.

The next one is pretty solid:

This design plays on the EVO Speed helmet's chiseled details...it looks modern and isn't too goofy really.

Option 3 gets a touch goofy:

A tip of the cap to IU's rich football heritage; numbers on the helmets are pretty classic.  BUT, if you're already not making the helmet truly retro, why not have the numbers match those on the jerseys? I'm being nit-picky, so I'll move on.

Option 4 is pretty horrible:

That's the state of Indiana's seal...in the wrong colors...on a helmet.

This is a bad design.

I know, I know, Maryland put their state seal on their helmet...I really liked that.  BUT, they wen't over-the-top with it, which made it pretty cool.  PLUS, Maryland's state seal is a much stronger, more-athletic graphic.  Atop of that, Indiana's state flag is blue and yellow, not red/white, of course.  (note: Indiana's state flag was also in some of the 90s Batman movies as Gotham's City flag.)

The last option is the best/worst; depending on your perspective.

But before I do my big reveal, lemme lay some groundwork.  Someone decided it'd be best to focus even more on basketball during football season in an effort to tug on the heart strings of IU's fanbase.  The problem is, most of these folks will be watching UND on the Saturday that IU wears their gaudy new chapeaus.  The five or ten IU alums that actually root for IU's football team probably appreciate this...but I'd think the purists would want to: A. keep the stripes red and white B. Not bastardize the stripes this way C. Pay homage in a more fitting way...So I wanted to help.

But before I give them a hand, here is that fifth option:

When I first saw the helmet, I thought this was Adidas' doing.  But I'm not so sure now.  Adidas would be a fair fall guy; they did some truly heinous things with Michigan, UND, Nebraska and Wisconsin's unis last season...But a couple things are wrong with that theory- First, that would point to Adidas actually caring about IU's football program...that's doubtful.  The bluebloods that Adidas shat upon last year were all full head-to-toe, single-game changes.  This isn't a full uniform change, just lids.

One one hand, I get it- Kids really like new helmets; that can be a recruiting tool...You guys all know that I'd like to see Purdue do a single game alternate black helmet.  Plus, and even more than Purdue, IU doesn't have much football heritage or tradition...so the shackles are off. No design rules really because none of the hundred fans in the seats will be offended either way.

I think I found the guy who is behind some of these designs...and I don't blame him for this.  He's got some good ideas...and the red/chrome helmet wasn't his (which I'd brag about, if I were him).

And speaking of that chrome design, J summed it up best last night on Twitter when he said he hopes IU wears the mirrored finish helmets v. Purdue...so Purdue's players can see themselves knocking the crap out of IU in real time.

Until IU can climb the highest mountain yet again and reach that elusive six-win mark (something Danny Hope accomplished twice in the last two years; and was subsequently fired for)...this is all sizzle, no steak. Memorial Stadium's re-fresh is pretty solid and looks great...but with 1-5 wins/season and no one in the stands, it seems like a waste of money and time; the same goes for these helmets.

So for that handful of IU fans that actually know IU has a football team, here's my gift to you: The basketball homage football helmets you WISH they would have made...

This one's called "Cut 'em down"...

Next up, something more familiar and closer to most IU fans' hearts; it's called "Goldy":

My option three commemorates back-to-back Sweet 16s...Almost called it twin rings...or simply, "The Movement":

And finally, if IU fans like over-the-top, they'll love this. It'll scare the crap out of opposition with its intensity...plus, the forehead is so shiny that the glare will distract opposing DBs as IU's QBs rain mad fire down on their opponents:

In closing, as Purdue fans, we should give IU some credit for the shiny striped helmet.  They did something that is completely unique to their university...unlike so many of the astroturf traditions that have popped up in the last decade around IU's football program...PLUS, they did something we want Purdue's football program to do- take a small risk and give the team a new look.  So hats off for that.  PLUS, they stayed pretty close to their school colors...something they didn't do the last time they significantly changed their helmets.

As one of IU's alums, Tim O'Brien says, why not just just go all-in with the concept???

We agree with Tim...this would be unspeakably-awesome...DO IT, FREDDY!!!

But they really didn't expect us to sit idly and say nothing, did they?

Until Purdue takes the next step, we can continue to dream...

IU fans, our apologies. That win was huuuuuuge!

I had a discussion with a pal of mine who's currently at IU. He took exception with us giving them a hard time for storming the court after beating a middle-conference opponent who has now lost 3/4 and was barely ranked.

See, my beef is the fact that IU, and its fans, always talk about banners and national titles. We usually counter this banter by saying that 95% of IU's current undergrads weren't even born when the most-recent banner was won. No big deal- national championships are a big deal...whether you know anything about them and how they were won or not. But, those banners that IU fans always fall back on are getting dusty. So, the same athletic department marketing group that came up with the bestest video ever has decided to modernize the wall of Ass. Hall.

(Thanks to our pal Ian for this!!)

Hoosier faithful, it was a big win for you guys...but it absolutely wasn't what you guys made it into. You guys are either a smalltime program whose coach goes through the halls of the arena with his hands in the air after beating an OK team. Or, you're a big time program...you decide and let us know, we'll make fun accordingly.

Bucknuts: Make it a Gray Day!

As many Ohio State fans know, and as we've mentioned before, IU plans on capitalizing on the the large amount of Buckeye fans that will be at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, this Saturday.

IU is dedicating the new portion of its stadium and taking photos of the new stadium on Saturday, because, typically, aOSU's sea of red usually follows the Buckeyes into Bloomington.

I am urging all Ohio State fans, once again, to wear your gray gear, not scarlet. Help ruin IU's deceptive photo op effort!!

Genius Update: Fred Glass

We've give IU's new AD a hard time for a lot of what he's done in his short time at IU. But finally, he's done it- he's out-awesomed himself!

Glass, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to give up an IU home game in favor of playing Penn State at FedEx Field in 2010. It makes a ton of sense really- IU's fanbase is powerful in the DC area, so selling the 7,000 tickets shouldn't be any problem. Plus, it's a lot easier just playing some place else because finding a neighborhood kid, band booster or parent of a football player to run the concession stand at Memorial Stadium is sometimes difficult in Bloomington.
Glass calls FedEx Field in November a "Bowl-like atmosphere"...DC in November boasts of weather like the Humanitarian, Sun, Motor City or Emerald Nuts Bowl and is just an "afternoon's drive" from most IU fans*.

"The Whores....errrrrrrrr...Hoosiers will make a cool $3 million just for abandoning their fan base for one afternoon. That will come in handy as they will be paying off Lynch's buyout clause at that time...and will help them update the lousy press box that doesn't go along with the beautiful new endzone seats at Memorial Stadium (that clearly they don't want to use).

In a move my brother compares to making IU into the equivalent of the Washington Generals of the Big Ten, Glass continues to innovate and create unique opportunities for the IU fanbase to enjoy their Billy (Lynch) Ball.

Hats off, once again, Mr. Glass.

*An afternoon is defined by Mr. Glass as a 9-hour period

This Glass is half full...with enthusiasm!!

Idea Man, Fred Glass

IU's new athletic director, Fred Glass is brimming with enthusiasm and good ideas for the coming football season in Bloomington. The first great idea is officially dedicating the new-look Memorial Stadium on October 3...what was formerly known as "Picture Day" in Bloomington will be called "Dedication Day" this year as the Buckeye fans will fill about 2/3 of IU's stadium and will help create a beautiful illusion, at least until kick-off.

not on the team

Glass also has created an area for kids to play...inside the stadium near the open end of Memorial Stadium. He wants to see children throwing Nerf footballs during the games...and while this idea doesn't say big-time-college-football atmosphere, it does say high school football game...fitting, I guess.

at least they don't have to watch their siblings lose by 52 to Purdue

It's too bad really, I do like what IU has done with the new addition of their stadium; it looks very good and very big time...and the addition of the retro-1930s/40s-style scoreboard will remind all of the IU fans of the good ole days when the Hoosiers finished the season ranked...nearly half of the seasons IU football teams finished in the top-25 ocurred in the 1940s ('45, '46)...so paying homage to that era makes sense.

IU's Student Section looks to be loud and proud come fall '09

Students...from ANY college can buy tickets for $5 for any IU football game. This low price is focused directly on an effort to fill the seats and bring enthusiasm back to Memorial Stadium. With the vision of Glass and the rest of the IU athletic department, I can almost guarantee that this will be an unforgettable season in Bloomington.

IU fans will get to know Ben Chappell even better this season