temptation

The adults that matter already knew...

But the timing of WHEN OSU/Michigan lose (if in fact both are undefeated heading in) likely prevents this from happening. I think a 12-1 Utah (just an example) on a 12 game winning streak gets in over a second Big Ten team, though I'd love to be wrong. Lots of football left.

I’m not sure I totally agree. Week 1 was huge for the SEC with Florida beating Utah. A two loss Georgia or Bama or a 1 loss Utah?

That’s 2026

Yes, ND’s floor is still 9 wins. 10/11 likely. Only three teams with a pulse left on the schedule. Do I also get 9.5 wins?

Day getting cute is exactly why I am hesitant to call him a top tier coach just yet. This was debated in the other thread. Once he decided to commit to the run and the ND defense was gassed, it was over. 50+ and +20.5 is still on the table huh?

Knew I'd find it.

Figured today would be as good a day as any to pull receipts. The THREE Heisman candidates I heard about all summer (Stroud, Henderson and Smith-Njigba) certainly didn't set the world on fire in game one. Hell, you could make the argument that Stroud wasn't even the best quarterback on the FIELD for most of the game or that Henderson wasn't the most valuable running back on his own TEAM in this game. Still confident in them dropping 50 on Michigan @Footballking16? Didn't you give me +21 somewhere on this forum? Tongue firmly planted in cheek. I kid. I know O$U will be there in the end. Just busting your balls.

You mean the $10 thousand million dollar question…

BD, who has already hosted a home game this year I mind you, instituting a new bag policy 48 hours before Center Grove comes to town, lol. Interesting timing, if nothing else…

I disagree though I am perhaps being a bit unfair. Westfield is definitely a program on the rise with a bright future, but I believe they are winless all time against Carmel and did not have to go through the Hounds en route to their last two state finals appearances. I know each team/year is different but I cannot put Westfield on Carmel's level just yet. That could change in a hurry however.

What a loser.

I'll give you that one.

Overlooked the Mater Dei/Lincoln score. Will adjust next week. I have Fort Wayne North HM (#28).

Someone likely to stop by shortly and drop the “polls don’t matter” line…

Exactly. Not at the high school level. If you’ve got beef and a dominant line, that’s all you need.

What Crown Point is building (and has already built in a short amount of time) is much more sustainable than Merrillville’s “transfer portal approach.” Crown Point has a better coaching staff (obviously), better SES numbers, has 1000 more students and is still experiencing rapid growth. Stop me when I start lying.

Just glad Cody is okay. Crown Point = new king of the DAC for the foreseeable future.

Anyone heard from Cody?

HM (#26)

Carmel @ Pike: Hounds coming off a big out of state victory and easily the best two loss team in Indiana. Pike, searching for answers after getting throttled by west side rival BD last week. Hounds roll 37-13. Center Grove @ Ben Davis: Game of the night as CG coming off a loss for the first time in 2+ years. Ben Davis looking poised after rolling Avon/Pike in consecutive weeks. Think CG’s mindset and leadership gets it done in a close one. 28-23 Trojans Lawrence Central @ Warren Central: Predicting a low scoring affair here as the gauntlet for both teams continues. I could really see this one going either way. Big rivalry win last week for the Bears, while Warren won a sloppy one over a poor NC team. Warren eeks one out here 20-14. North Central @ Lawrence North: The good news? NC scored some points last week. The bad news? Their D has been a screen door. LN will be hungry after a rivalry loss and NC will provide enough medicine for the Cats to feel good Friday night. LN wins 23-7.

Avon @ Brownsburg: It appears the changing of the guard on the west side is complete as these two programs are trending in complete opposite directions. Brownsburg could make a case for best team in the state currently while Avon is in survival mode. Dogs make it 5 in a row in this series in lopsided fashion. 45-13. Fishers @ Hamilton Southeastern: Two top 10 teams in my opinion. Heated rivalry game and both have big goals for the remainder of the season. This one could be a classic. I’ll take HSE 24-23. Franklin Central @ Zionsville: Another chance for the Flashes to prove they belong as this was their first big win last season. Zionsville seeking revenge on their home field. They get it 24-17. Westfield @ Noblesville: Mentioned in the other thread that Westfield has not been super impressive this season but their dominance of this conference gives me hesitancy in predicting them to lose. Noblesville, on the other hand he is picking up the pieces in a situation that looks eerily similar to last fall. The Rocks championship pedigree wins out as they begin to hit their stride en route to another conference title. Rocks win 34-20. What say you?

Putting words in my mouth. ND was the better team through 3 quarters.

Purdue can compete for the Big Ten West…if they can reign in their head coach. Zero hope for IU.

You are reaching here. While I agree that they should’ve gone for it, there were countless other factors on the night that had decided the game so dying on this hill is bizarre.