Irishman

I know rankings of opponents factor into SoS. a case could be made for Vandy to be ranked. But the other 3 should have dropped out of the rankings sooner than they did. I posted something about Tennessee during the regular season asking why they were still ranked. That is what I mean when I say Bama's SoS was artificially propped up. Ignoring the Conference championship is a head scratcher for sure, especially when you look at how Bama finished the season, and how they lost the SEC Championship.

Might as well start this one. Starting with what will be the obvious dominant topic. I will be curious to see how many do not go anywhere, or even just do not play again.

My point wasn't about those teams being considered for the playoffs. My point was that teams who ARE in the playoffs had their SoS artificially propped up because those teams were kept as high in the rankings as they were. Alabama jumps out immediately when I started looking at this. The argument of Bama being more deserving of being in the playoff than ND has been based on SoS. That is why I posted that.

A lot of talk about strength of schedule. Something I looked up. Missouri was ranked 25th at the end of the year. They were ranked all season. They played 4 ranked teams this regular season and lost all 4. Exposed? They lost to a ranked Virginia team in the Gator Bowl. Virginia loses to a 5 loss Duke team in the ACC championship, but beats a ranked SEC team? Tennessee was ranked 23rd at the end of the season and were ranked all season. They played 4 ranked teams this regular season and went 0-4. LSU was ranked through October and played 5 ranked teams this year and went 0-5. Vanderbilt finished ranked 14th. They played 6 ranked teams and were 4-2. But those 4 teams were Missouri, Tennessee, LSU, and South Carolina was ranked at the time they played. Those 4 teams being ranked all or most of the season artificially props up the SoS numbers for SEC teams, including Alabama. Fact is that while Notre Dame catches grief for their SoS, but people want to ignore it for other teams.

Based on his list, I am gonna go out on a limb and say Northwestern is not the place for you buddy. When you see it… 🤣

True, but I also think there is a flaw in the formula for scheduling. I think they need to get rid of the part of the schedule that is based on where a team finishes in the division. The Pats are a prime example. Finish low in the division, get a high draft pick. Maybe appears to be the guy at QB for them, and makes them a much better team, but playing a 4th place schedule favored them in a big way.

Not sure if they were signed or not. But they would have been part of this year's freshmen class. https://247sports.com/college/notre-dame/season/2025-football/decommits/

Actually, they have had 7 decommit from this year's recruiting class.

Hmmm

I still remember the Barry Alvarez line when he was still the head coach at Wisconsin. The real recruiting occurs after a player commits.

Right....he is the one who said that he is committed there, but he is also the one who added what I quoted. He is the one saying he has those additional visits in mind. I get the impression he does not understand what commitment means.

FTA: "While his commitment is locked in, he made it clear his recruitment is not completely closed." “I will still take some official visits,” Jacobs said. “I committed to Ohio State over Miami and Texas A&M. Those schools, Georgia, and maybe one or two more will probably get official visits. “Recruiting is never over, so we’ll see who really wants me and who will fight for me. Ohio State is a top program. Miami is a great school and I feel very valued by them. You have Georgia and A&M too.” WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think at this point, it will be the same 20. It will simply take too much money for someone to emerge like IU did. I have mentioned this in the past, but Joel Klatt was doing color on an IU game when Allen was the head coach. They were getting beat soundly, when Klatt got on his soapbox....and I agreed with him at that time. IU and programs in their spot are going to be relegated to being conduits for better programs. Kids that are not well recruited out of high school may sign with a school like IU to prove themselves for a year or two then enter the portal. They may look to a conference like the MAC or CUSA for players in the portal to recruit. They might compete for kids who don't see the field much in the top programs who will look to move or even "drop down" a level. I am thinking some key IU folks must have heard him and stepped up.

Been saying it, this is not sustainable. These programs outside the top 10-15 not only have to work to keep their current roster, but put up some serious cash now to rebuild a roster; not to necessarily compete for a playoff spot, but just to field a team now. Check that....down to 16 players.

Rising the way IU did, the questions have been inevitable. Last year, it was but can they beat Ohio State? This year going in, it was can they win at Oregon, then Can they win at Penn State, then can they beat Ohio State. There will always be that next question for them. Whole lot of Bama fans and many others who still doubt this team.....Hell as used to what IU has done in my lifetime, I had doubts along the way. When they beat Ohio State, I learned that I am going to stop asking. IU can play with anyone in the country and compete.

That poor horse

I will say this too.....LaFleur does not seem like he has confidence in Love, and it shows. I don't think Love plays with much confidence. Love also plays lazy. It's like he tries to throw off balance. If he does not get hurt in that Bears game, I have no doubt the Bears would have won easily. Not sure why LaFleur calls a different game; more RPOs with him having the option to run. And they worked. While LaFleur needs to go, at this point in their careers, I would keep Willis if it's an either/or between him and Love. No matter what, Willis will be a starter somewhere next season.

Packers find new ways to define mediocrity. They have punted just 1 time in the last 3 games and are 0-3. This season, teams that have not punted in a game are 8-3. The Packers have set a new standard in the Super Bowl era having not punted in 3 games and lost all 3. Packers are now just 1 out of 10 in scoring their last 10 trips in the red zone. They have blown leads in the 2nd half, even when having chances to put teams away to go up more than 2 scores.....and have lost. I have long been a critic of LaFleur. That will not change. He is an ok play caller, but cannot stick to what is working. He is a HORRIBLE game manager. He has no sense of when his defense needs a break. Even when they score quickly, it can hurt the defense. Last night, Baltimore has a 13 play drive last 7 and 1/2 minutes. Packers score in one minute, and Baltimore goes on another 13 play 7 and 1/2 minute drive. Packers had the ball just 19:44. Matthew Golden was the first WR they have drafted in years. I was ok with the move. Start him? Ok, no problem. He was targeted just 3 times last night. They did not throw to the TE once last night. This is the 3rd year in a row they are the 7th seed. Granted they drilled the Cowboys, the 7th seed is not a good spot to be in. I am certain that LaFleur is not going to win a Super Bowl in Green Bay. The team struggles in big games and in playoff games in general. He knows his system, and it's obvious teams have it figured out, and he struggles to adapt.

oh look, that horse is dead

Houston's win today knocks the Colts out of the playoffs. But they can still be a factor in the playoff picture. Gotta do a better job of keeping guys healthy, and be better preapred when guys do get hurt, especially at the QB position.

🙂

They moved to the 2 spot this season. Northwestern passed them for 1st place.

Yep, I read it. Like I said before though, from his first year, Riley talked about ending the series. As Keyshawn said in his video, you have too many non USC people, Riley included, making these decisions for the school. I would also say that USC likely knew Notre Dame would not agree to the arrangement they offered. That said, unless Notre Dame had other commitments or issues, they could have played that week. As far as it being late in the conference season, the SEC plays non conference games late in their conference season.