We’ve reached the top three in our countdown of the greatest seasons in IU football history.

While the order can be debated, and perhaps we left out a few worthy contenders, for the most part the first seven represented the easy part.

With a new entry in the mix as recently as last season, and different eras of the sport to consider, determining the top three is a major challenge.

For generations there was little doubt — the two greatest seasons in IU football history were 1945 and 1967.

But IU’s historic 2024 season is a clearly a contender for the top of the list.

Don’t believe me? Ask the head coach.

“Year one is in the books. 126 years of Indiana football. Best season in Indiana history,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said earlier this week. “No. 1 out of 126.”

So while we question his tally of the number of football seasons Indiana has played (it’s more like 140), Cignetti’s vote is on the record. But is he right?

I put this to a vote on X last month, and let’s just say the younger fan base on social media might be suffering from some recency bias:

There’s just no way it is as clear as that poll would seem to indicate.

So let’s frame the debate with quick capsules on each of the three seasons:

1945

Pros: Only undefeated (9-0-1) season in program history. Only outright Big Ten title in program history. Tied for best final AP ranking in program history — No. 4. 5-0-1 on the road including win at No. 6 Michigan. Dominance as the season progressed.
Cons: Shorter schedule with less chances for a loss. Only played one end-of-season top-10 team (Michigan) and just two ranked teams. World War II created roster inconsistencies. No postseason to further measure on national scale.

1967

Pros: Co-Big Ten champs (9-1, 6-1 regular season). Tied for best final AP ranking in program history — No. 4. Only Rose Bowl appearance in program history. Beat No. 3 Purdue to clinch Rose Bowl appearance. Road wins at Michigan, Michigan State and Illinois.
Cons: A lot of close, sometimes improbable wins — much more cardiac kids than dominance. A very disappointing loss (33-7) at Minnesota. Down year for Michigan and Ohio State. Lost the Rose Bowl to finish with worst winning percentage of these three teams.

2024

Pros: Most wins in program history (11). Most conference wins in program history (7). Tied for second in 18-team Big Ten. First College Football Playoff appearance. Several dominant performances, including 42-13 at UCLA, 56-7 over Nebraska, and 47-10 at Michigan State.
Cons: Two losses, both by double-digits, came to only two ranked opponents. Middle-of-the-road strength of schedule with just one win over a Power 4 team with a winning record. Showed substantial vulnerability over last seven halves.

So what do you think? Which of these three seasons was IU’s best ever? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you want a refresher on the seasons we ranked No. 4-10 along with two honorable mentions, here you go:

Honorable mention – 2007

Honorable mention – 1991

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