BTF

We all know Saben has nine lives, he'll sneak in somehow.

Am I wrong though? Tennessee got curb stomped by a sub par SC team.

I see a path for Alabama 1. Georgia goes undefeated 2. Ohio State beats Michigan by 14 3. TCU goes undefeated USC gets beat by Notre Dame. USC lost to Georgia giving them 3 losses. That leaves it to the committee to choose between Clemson, Michigan, and Alabama. Alabama has two losses, both of them close, in by far the toughest conference in the country. Michigan is only one loss, but does losing to Ohio State do them any favors (insert OSU if Michigan beats them by 14). Clemson only has one loss, but it was ugly. Their strength of schedule does them no favors.

Too many other factors on Friday night to draw any conclusions.

You're not by chance the new defensive and offensive coordinator there are you?

Dwenger, Cathedral, now Merrillville?

They'll need all those guys to get by Valpo. The Vikings are young and return many.

Agree. Or you'll end up like Rodney and have all your threads canceled.

Indianapolis too huh? I think the transfer portal in high school football is getting as bad as college.

That's 2.7 yards per carry. Says a lot about the Carroll defense.

PM me if want clarification. Trying to keep the focus here exclusively on Valpo and HSE. No way I'm going to make a prediction on this game. I'll just roll with Sagarin's 8 point suggestion. I haven't seen the first clip on Whiteland.

It's one thing to have passion, but it's another to completely dismiss your competition all season long. I'd probably hide too.

Not really an apples to apples comparison.

I think both teams have an opportunity finish 2023 in the top two positions in the 5A poll. I stress the word "opportunity."

Lots of talk on here about Carroll's dream season, but this was a dream season for HSE as well. One of those years where you ask "if we can't win with the team have this year, when will we ever win it?" That's a hard pill to swallow. Seeing how dejected the Snider kids were last night made me think of the HSE kids. Sports can be utterly heartbreaking.

Maybe not your intent, but there were others. For me, there's not one week during the season where I would have picked Lutheran over Valpo. I might entertain the idea if Lutheran beats AC by 4 touchdowns. That being said, much respect for 1A football. Putting together a team at level has it's challenges.

Thanks for the correction. I do recall that now. Failed me when making the post.

Congrats to Valpo. I don't believe I said that yet. Class program that earned their "King of the North" title in 5a. No better way to do that than to beat Merrillville and Snider. This is Valpo's second state finals trip in 4 years. Four regional titles in the last 5 years. Without a doubt, the Vikings are one of the northern blue bloods. I said it last week and I'll say it again. Big line, good running back, and a stingy defense always gives you a chance to win. They'll have a chance to beat Whiteland in route to their first state title. Snider and Valpo played four other times and always back to back years. If trends mean anything, they'll be playing one another again next year. Both teams have a solid core of players returning.

Ninety five percent of the time, when a person mentions a state finals team beating a team four classes up from them, they are just trying to ruffle feathers. Appears to be working.

Lol, didn't learn anything last night?

That's already happening. Dinan has had some up and down years during his first 8 seasons, but his teams have been pretty solid the last four. You get the feel though, that Carroll is up here for good now.

You and Rodney can split the cost and take me to St. Elmo's when New Prairie plays competitively with EC.

I dunno Rodney. I think New Prairie and Kokomo might be a little better than what people are giving them credit for.

Fair enough. I'm still laying good money that Carroll beats East Central. But that's just me. No disrespect to the Trojans and their fine program.

Football in Fort Wayne isn't so bad. Looking forward to Week 1 of next season.