Tom Allen discusses New Year's Six snub in preview of Indiana's Outback Bowl matchup
There are so many stories to discuss surrounding how the bowl/postseason selection process went this weekend. There are certainly some snubs. Most notably appears to be Indiana.
The Hoosiers looked like they were headed for a New Year’s Six Bowl game as a way to cap off their historic season. However, folks had other ideas. Indiana was snubbed of the appearance and now has to settle for the Outback Bowl as they fell behind teams such as Northwestern in the bowl selection process.
As per tradition, Indiana coach Tom Allen met with the media Sunday evening after his team learned of its postseason destination. To no one’s surprise, the bowl placement/playoff positioning was certainly a topic of discussion.
Tom Allen asked about the CFP committee and the slights, "There will be a time and a place to address that, I don’t think this is the time or the place." #iufb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 20, 2020
Allen getting the Outback, rather than the Citrus:
"It was explained to me, not necessarily to my satisfaction.."
But.."this team has done everything I’ve asked them to do. A chance to play in a bowl game with these guys, I’m not going to let anything distract from that." #iufb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 20, 2020
Asked what he'd say to Gary Barta and the committee if he had a chance to sit down and speak with them, Allen responds "This would not be a good time." #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) December 20, 2020
Allen adds "It’s a great great bowl game to be in, and that’s what I want to focus on. … I’m getting a little worked up here, because this is a football team I care about and I’m going to fight for every single day." #iufb https://t.co/H8eTuSiCtb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 20, 2020
Despite any potential grievances with the CFP, the bowls, or whoever, life goes on. That’s what Allen sees. His team will start preparing shortly as Indiana takes on Ole Miss in Tampa. It will be the first game in a while for Allen’s squad as they missed last week’s game with Purdue due to injuries/COVID protocol.
IU coach Tom Allen, when asked about everything leading into this game, the cancellation of the Bucket Game, the CFP, everything, lists the date, time, and says:
"This team will be ready … period." #iufb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 20, 2020
IU expects to hold a normal practice tomorrow. Not cohorts or anything, full practice. Obviously some players will likely still be sidelined, but Allen believes positives from the shutdown will be back before the game. IU gets two weeks of practice. #iufb
— Zach Osterman (@ZachOsterman) December 20, 2020
Hopefully Indiana ends the year on a high note and is able to make a statement against Ole Miss. Last season, it was a bitter and hard-fought loss to Tennessee that ended the year for the Hoosiers.
