temptation

Upon completion of some brief, informal research I have honored your request. Some of the job titles are a bit dicey as they seem to have varying titles by district and I am not sure if that comes from the state level. Protecting the individuals themselves, though you can easily do the same research on your own time, I can tell you that it appeared that "many" teachers have some sort of administration label to their job title but when cross checking the DOE website it gets a bit confusing. Knowing what I know about the top of the pay scale in many districts, it is also head scratching in that area but I will not speculate. What I CAN tell you upon some research is that the "average" head coach in each of what most would consider the "Power 4" conferences made the following amount in 2019 (the last year data was published). Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference: $103k Hoosier Crossroads Conference: $82k Duneland Athletic Conference: $78k Summit Athletic Conference: $67k One could make a case for the SIAC/Conference Indiana but I am sure they are comparable. Draw your own conclusions.

I'm kinda shocked that the other seven (really 5 as I have a hard time believing the punter/kicker received any votes) combined for 21 percent of the vote.

Use whatever term you want. ”Non-competitive” then.

The latter.

Getting interesting in Columbus...

To me, that makes it even easier to pick TAMU.

Let’s also be real. A&M is a member of the SEC in name only. When looking at the “regional make up” of the playoff, the Aggies being west of the Mississippi could also be used as an argument. Do they carry the name recognition of ND? Hell no. I too, hope I am wrong. (Defending ND AND OSU in the same thread? Yikes. 2020 sure is weird.)

Can’t really disagree but let’s pump the brakes on calling ISU “great” in 2019. They were in the Champs Sports Bowl for a reason. Cant have it both ways...

Opens up an interesting debate: Whom has embarrassed themselves in their playoff/championship opportunities more: Notre Dame or the Big 12?

The “fans” in my parts have usually flipped the page to IU basketball by this point in the year.

Ok chief, not going down this rabbit hole. It’s irrelevant.

Ohio State had NO business being IN that game in 2016 but I’ll leave that for another thread. (I’ll take that loss to my grave.) To be honest, even though they are a rival of my favorite program, I’d like to see ND get another shot (though the “fans” around my parts would be unbearable). They do things the right way, their kids go to class/focus on academics and they are rarely/ever involved in a scandal. I don’t think many “elite” programs can check all three of those boxes.

Eh, OSU winning in 2014 is recent enough for me to put them in that tier...its a drop off after three. Most in the know seem to agree as they are about to play six games and get “grandfathered” into the playoff. They were also 1-2 plays away from beating Clemson last year. (You are making me say WAY too many nice things about those bastards but facts are facts). We’ve seen A&M/Bama this season and I’d like to see some fresh (non-SEC) blood just as much as the next guy but I just know how these things normally go. The petitioning for a one loss SEC team will put pressure on the committee this weekend.

The Irish have been flat out embarrassed in their previous two trips (2012/2018).

Also, will Notre Dame’s performance the last two times they were given the nod factor into people’s minds?

I have NEVER disagreed, but your opinion and my opinion DOES not matter. The SEC is and always has been king. Do I want to see Bama/A&M part two? Nope. Will there be pressure for the CFP committee to make it happen on Saturday evening/Sunday morning? Yep.

I'll take it a step further....10/10. The talent discrepancy is one thing. OSU is usually good for sleep walking through one game per season (still waiting on it to be Michigan, lol) and this was it. They built a big lead and put things on cruise control. Is their defense suspect? Sure. But in 2020 a good defense is secondary to a good offense when it comes to being elite. You need a competent defense that can capitalize off of the opposition's mistakes, get an occasional stop (especially in the red zone, and create turnovers.

Still say the Clemson/ND loser is OUT.

Everyone in America has ah asterisk next to ND’s win over Clemson.

Depends on which station you watch. The “Notre Dame/Clemson HAD their chance” rhetoric will begin Saturday around 6pm.

You obviously don’t know how this SEC thing works...

Texas A&M will slide in regardless of this weekend's outcome in my opinion. Are you going to potentially set up a THIRD game between Clemson and ND? This weekend's game is a quarterfinal contest.

How we feeling about this Saturday Irish fans?

Just speaking from experience as a fan more so than anything. I've only had the pleasure of visiting ONE SEC stadium in my lifetime. The B10 loves its football, as does the SEC.

I like this game. 1. When you’ve only played FIVE games, three losses (regardless of who they are to) disqualifies you from being given the title of “good team.” 2. Home teams just look flat more often than not. The Big Ten boasts the CATHEDRAL’S of college football. The BEST home field advantage in America when packed. It’s not intimidating to go and play in front of 100k empty seats. 3. Maybe IU does deserve some credit for PSU’s spiral but they had plenty of time to right the ship and failed to do so until it was too late. 4. Non power 5’s always get screwed which is why the system is still broken and why the NCAA basketball tournament remains the greatest sporting event on Earth. They’ll never have a prayer in a 4 team playoff. 5. I too, was never much of a believer in Allen.