[Tuck4Bama]

BLOOMINGTON – The last time things started this well for the Indiana football team, Bill Clinton was in his first term as president, “Pulp Fiction” was new in theaters and Fort Wayne’s Bryan Payton and James Hardy were 9 and 8, respectively.

Payton and Hardy have grown. And so have the Hoosiers.

Indiana is 5-1 for the first time since 1994; the Hoosiers received votes in both The Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls; and they are just one win away from becoming bowl eligible.

Yet, the players and coaching staff remain grounded as they begin preparing for Saturday’s game at Michigan State.

“It’s good for us as a program. We are trying to put Indiana football on a map where it needs to be,” Hardy, a junior wide receiver, said of the votes Tuesday. “Coach Hep (Terry Hoeppner) put a dangerous team together and coach (Bill) Lynch is doing a wonderful job making sure everyone stays together and the chemistry continues to grow.

5-1 Hoosiers focused on Spartans, not bowl berth