Irishman

Interesting idea, but there are some things to keep in mind. One, it really is not an all star game. Starting at the region level, each class must be represented in each region. One thing that has been brought up before is maybe having a 1A-3A game, and a 4A-6A game. Another issue is who is available to play. Many DI programs do not want their players participating in the game. Another factor is the way the regions are drawn.....Indianapolis is its own region while regions 6 and 8 surround Indy, and the distance is pretty extreme. Region 6 has North Montgomery down to the area just North of Evansville, and goes to the Indiana border. Maybe split Indy into a North and South region? or even an East and West? I know some of the distance issue is unavoidable; so with that being the case, maybe use sectional groups to vote on players? All that said, in previous years, the North has been able to hold its own in the game. Blowouts are not the norm. I did not go this year, but the previous few years I did go, it is well attended. So, I am not sure there will be much urgency to change things.

Not sure if this counts, but Bryan Bullington from Madison was drafted 1st overall by the Pirates in 2002. He had previously been drafted in 99 in the 37th round, but decided not to sign that year. But trying to find who was drafted when is a MUCH bigger task than it seems. There have been a LOT of guys from this State who have played the game.

I said this some time ago, maybe even years ago. But during the Mallory era at IU, they were on par with Wisconsin. The game was usually a toss up. In fact, when Anthony Thompson broke the conference career rushing record during the Wisconsin game, Bo Schembechler said "hell if we played Wisconsin every year, we would have the RB with the career rushing record". It was a direct slap to Anthony and the IU program as well as the Wisconsin program. My point is....what is the ceiling for IU? Barry Alvarez had just been the DC at Notre Dame, and he had no head coaching experience. He elevated the Wisconsin program to a regular contender for the conference title. It may be hard to visualize, but there is no reason the IU program could not reach that level. I am NOT saying they will, but for any program in the conference, the right coach can elevate their program to battle for titles. Admittedly, the East division is much tougher than the West now. There is a LOT of room for improvement. But as Southend says, I like the path they are on to this point.

There are a handful of bowls where the win does matter still, like a couple of the New Year's Day games, but in large part, you are right. The road to improvement will not be perfect, clean or always fun to watch. For Allen, the bigger picture still matters. Now, 2 or 3 years down the road....different story. Who do you have them losing to?

New season is just weeks away; so I started a new topic. Nice commit for Coach Allen. This may rate as the best off season in IU history.

It will be interesting to see this play out. As far as the uniform thing, my guess is that it could be challenged in court....maybe a company like Nike brings the suit? Every other sports league manages this with no problems.

Agree 100%.......Hudl Sideline can be a great tool....when it works right, but if the coordinator is in the box, he needs to relay info to position coaches on the field. Even with the sideline program, a d line coach is not going top be able to review with defensive backs. Or, if the coordinator is on the field, you have position coaches in the press box. a DB coach will focus on the pass routes run or what receivers are doing for an opponent, while a line coach will focus on the run game and blocking. Both will track them to see how plays align with tendencies. Another perspective is that the college and pro levels have this technology and still use coaches in the press box.

I think the other perspective is that with everyone playing week 1 of the playoffs, fewer people would attend compared to it being a sectional championship or even a regional game. With no one eliminated in the first round, only fans of those schools will attend. A later match up would likely draw fans who follow teams that have been eliminated. The other issue is that these two meet in round one and the loser is turning in equipment while some 0 fer team wins and continues playing. I am not so sure it is the intention of the IHSAA......may be more like they want to avoid any hassle (or even extra work) or complaints in attempting to seed teams.

Response from the B1G:

sometimes......years ago while I was tracking won loss records.......a typical season had close to half the teams in the State finish with a a .500 record or lower. While there were different teams each year, it was a consistent theme. Knowing a handful of the coaches in that spot, including a few teams I was on staff for, it just does not always work out that way. Some of the best coaching I did was on teams that we had to develop kids who could be on the field Friday nights. Looking back at the seasons I did my best coaching and teaching, the teams did not always have a record that would say we were "successful".

Possibly.......I think there is very little credence to the idea that often times, programs just run into a period of time when the talent level is just not there.

Kevin Wright at WC comes to mind.....D 1 talent all around, but ran the option game. Brett Favre was an option QB in HS. Percentages alone do not support the thinking of Coach Askew. Something like 6% of HS players play in college; or something like that. Do what is best for the kids you have.

Cannot ignore flaws in how the State funds its schools, and the fact that more than half of Indiana counties have seen population decreases. I am willing to bet the largest declines in population are in rural counties.

I agree that 12 is too many, but to add to what Wolves said, teams with one or two losses has a chance. More teams will be in the picture later in the season. ESPN just showed what the brackets looked like if it had been in place. Indiana and Coastal Carolina would have qualified. That said, I think Alabama and Clemson will still be dominant.

I have no issue with them joining a conference, if they simply choose to join one. But I don’t like seeing them getting cheated out of a potential spot earned just because they are not in a conference.

Does not really sound like they will make concessions, but will impede their chances should they earn a spot.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31604970/college-football-playoff-consider-expanding-12-team-format It appears the new system will be 12 teams. Looks like the powers that be are pushing ND into joining a conference. The AD, Jack Swarbick confirms that ND CANNOT qualify for a bye in the 12 team format. Seems to be asking for problems. If the Irish defeat a conference champion during the regular season, why would that team be eligible for a bye and not ND?

Rodgers has himself backed into a corner. If he "retires" this year, it will cost him $11.5 Million, and an addition $11.5 Million for the next year. I have a feeling we will have a clearer picture on June 2nd. But I say he plays for Green Bay. As Bob said, he comes out the one looking bad in this.

To clarify....the Varsity team is a part of the SSIA. I cannot find out exactly what that stands for....my guess is Sunshine State something. BUT, that is separate from the FHSAA. So,the IMG Varsity team does not participate in the “official” State tournament The difference appears to be that non public schools are part of the SSIA, while traditional public schools are part of the FHSAA.

I will take you up on that bet.........With a large number of coaches around the country, my guess is he wants nothing to do with them. Why take the risk? Plenty of great competition closer to home; and competition that is not seen as a potential poacher of his top talent. Keep this in mind; the IMG thing has grown to the point they field 2 varsity teams folks. One plays a national schedule, the other (the 2nd team) plays a local schedule. The national team went unchallenged last season by the way....giving up no more than 14 points in a game the entire season, and only doing that 3 times. Their lowest score was 41 points in a game.

Strictly for purposes of discussion, because the 300 mile rule eliminates any chance of a matchup of anyone in the IHSAA, I agree with most here. IMG is one to avoid. They are a different animal. They are going to Cincy for 1 reason; looking for talent. I know that Georgia has banned their schools from playing IMG. There is nothing to be gained for any Indiana school to add them. As MICFan34 and Boilernation have shown; there are plenty of regional matchups for Indiana schools that are more logical.

Mike Golic commented........no proper technique was taught. As a coach, every drill I run has to connect directly to something the guys will do in a game. It would be so rare that these two players would be in a situation that is simulated in a drill like this. Watching it made me sick to my stomach. I worry about the boy who was knocked down. It is one more kid who tried the game, and will likely never even try to play it again because of this.

Nice pick up for the Hoosiers, and he has 3 seasons of eligibility. https://indiana.rivals.com/news/indiana-lands-former-4-star-recruit-and-auburn-transfer-jaren-handy?fbclid=IwAR01qCipuraJeNHN9PtTFQEoNWDw1XuaxyG09mqxO6IiyEZUNQHoHGrgM9A