Almost two months ago, I had the wildest dream that Indiana University won the national championship in football. I gradually realized that this was not a dream but a strange alternate reality we’re living in.

If you’re a Purdue fan, I know you’re probably tired of hearing about this by now, but please give me some grace; this might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to revel in a win like this. 

I grew up an IU basketball fan, just like most of my friends. IU football, not so much. When I attended IU, you were required to buy football season tickets to get basketball tickets. My friends and I would tailgate during the first half, slip into the stadium in the third quarter, and head out by the time the fourth quarter started. 

But then, two years ago, this guy named Curt Cignetti showed up. Although his confident, “Google me, I win,” is now the stuff of legend, the first reaction most fans had was “Sure you will, sugar,” and an imaginary pat on the head. We thought it couldn’t be done.

But this team, led by Fernado Mendoza, whom I have heard described as “a golden retriever playing quarterback,” not only won but also took the whole dang thing. When IU won the Big Ten Title, I didn’t even cheer. I just sat there in shock. On Jan. 19, when IU won the national championship, there were some tears, but also a feeling of complete unreality about the whole situation.

Will this championship run mark the start of a new winning legacy? If you ask Cignetti, he would say it is, but I am less convinced. If I’ve learned anything in my three-plus decades on this earth, it’s that miracles like this usually don’t happen twice. I hope I’m wrong.

Are you an IU fan who is still riding on the high on this magical run? Send me your football memories and predictions for next season at bdavis@indianaec.org.