BTF

Impressive.

1. Dwenger - Dwenger is a beast. They look big, they look fast. they look disciplined. 2. Snider - Snider looking like Snider. Thirty seven seniors. They looked sharp tonight against what many think is a pretty good North Side team. 3. Homestead - I hear they have a defense this year. If that's the case, look out. Offense is always solid. A waxing of Northrop is a good start to the season. 4. Carroll - Wasted Luers 42-0. Really? Is Carroll THAT good or is Luers THAT bad? Answers coming Friday. 5. Concordia - The Cadets, in my opinion, are more than a one year wonder. Very deserving of the 5 spot. 6. Wayne - I still think Wayne has a pretty good team. But not Top 3 good like I originally thought. 7. Northrop - I still have faith in the coaching staff over there. No shame in losing big to Homestead this year. The Spartans are just really good. 8. Luers- Never thought I'd see the day when I'd have the Knights ranked 8th in the SAC. Like I originally said............the SAC is deep this year. 9. North Side - I don't think the Legends are bad. But here's the deal. The SAC is DEEP. And Snider is GOOD! SAC has 9 teams this year that can compete. 10. South Side - I hope these kids keep their heads up. But right now, I no reason to believe they are any better than tenth. Good luck to them.

I absolutely have faith in Dwenger, I just like Wayne in an upset.

I've seen a decrease in attendance in Fort Wayne over the years. Part of the blame is the ability to live stream any SAC game on the internet. Not sure what the entire problem is.

Wayne over Dwenger - Wayne starts out with a bang and puts the rest of the SAC on notice. Nothing against Dwenger though as they run the table and take the SAC. Wayne by 3 Luers over Carroll - a mediocre big school takes on a small school power. Battle for 5th place in my opinion. Luers is the safe bet, but not by much. Luers by 3 Snider over North Side - the Redskins are my darkhorse pick this year. But the SAC is loaded. They could go 2-7 this year (not saying they will) and still have a good team. North will keep this game close at the beginning. Snider uses it's depth and dominates the second half. Snider by 21 (at most) Concordia over South - Concordia has proven the last few seasons they are a program to contend with. This game will be easy. Cadets by 35 Homestead over Northrop - breakout season for Northrop? Maybe, but Homestead will be too much. Spartans passing game will give opponents fits this year. Homestead by 21

Homestead is just two years removed from a team that, in my opinion, was good enough to beat Carmel. I don't think the situation there is as dire as some are making it out to be. There are many programs love that would love to have the success Homestead has experienced.

Unless he snubs an Indiana school to go there. It's my understanding that he had offers from Notre Dame, Indiana, and Purdue. It's ok, Iowa must have been a better fit for whatever reason. He said Iowa has a history of developing defensive ends for the NFL. I'm sure I'm biased, but Notre Dame could have provided....................a more prestigious degree, national television audience every week, close to home, a chance at the playoffs, a trip to Ireland, a trip to Soldier Field, a trip to Lambeau Feild, Heinz Field, and the LA Coliseum.

Lol, they wont be horrible. They could lose three or four games in the SAC this year and still have a good team. The SAC is deep. Snider, Dwenger, Homestead, and Wayne could all knock one another off.

This thread originated with 24 teams. Both the MIC and HCC have 8 teams, so I only included the top 8 teams from the SAC. But you are correct, North Side and South Side will bring those numbers down further.

You asked "how much of a factor does enrollment play?" It's not rocket science. Great coaching + MEGA enrollment = Total dominance. I keep forgetting you need everything spelled out for you. Indianapolis Tech has an enrollment of 2100...................ish (added the ish so you don't call me out on that too). Nick Saben could have some pretty good teams with Tech, but not total dominance. Total dominance is reserved for the mega schools with good coaching. My definition of a mega school is 3000+. Interesting how you can find a reason to debate even when someone agrees with you.

He'd probably still have problems with the mega schools.

Great coaching + enrollment = total dominance regardless of Socioeconomic............imo.

In the 80's and 90's I think the SAC was widely considered Top 2. But in the last couple of decades the HCC has come on really strong with the growth of the Indy burbs.

This is how the top three conferences stacked up in 2018 according to Sagarin. The gap between the MIC and the HCC is about the same as the gap between the HCC and the SAC. It doesn't appear that this is going to create much debate. 1. Warren Central 121 2. Center Grove 105 3. North Central 103 4. Carmel 101 5. Avon 97 6. Brownsburg 92 7. Ben Davis 92 8. Lawrence North 90 9. Lawrence Central 89 10. Bishop Dwenger 88 11. Snider 86 12. Zionsville 86 13. Westfield 84 14. Noblesville 81 15. Hamilton SE 81 16. Homestead 80 17. Fishers 80 18. Wayne 79 19. Pike 75 20. Luers 73 21. Carroll 73 22. Franklin Central 71 23. Concordia 69 24. Northrop 69

Well, 0-6 against Carmel in games decided by 3 points or less won't get them to the next level against Penn. Have to somehow get over that hump.

I was going to make a case for the SAC in the two spot this year. But looking at the HCC again, I'll keep the SAC at three. Snider, Dwenger, Homestead, and Wayne could compete with anyone in the HCC this year. But the depth from there get's questionable. I'm not sure what Luers, Carroll, Northrop, or Concordia bring to the table this year.

Ok. Snider it 1860, but not a 6a school by enrollment. That's why I mentioned 1200. Kudos to CE, they have a case for being the best program in the state, pound for pound, over the last decade and a half.

What is the enrollment at Columbus East? Certainly more than 1200?

Dwenger is a very confident program. I've never known them to underestimate anyone. And as good as I think they have the potential to be this year, they have Valpo to contend with. To me that game could go either way. This years talented SAC will prepare them well. I still like NP as the favorite, but the Dwenger/Valpo winner will give them a war. Much respect to New Pal. That game in 2015 was a matter of who had the ball last. I think both teams could have given Penn and CG a run for their money at the 6a level. With regard to Snider's best team...……….2004, 1986, 1992, & 1997. Probably in that order. I think the 2015 team comes in between 5-7 with the 2002 & 2012 teams. The offense in 2015 has a case for the programs best offense ever. Defense is the reason I don't rank them in my Top 4.

Overconfident teams quickly find themselves down 42-14. Don't underestimate teams from The Fort.

Agree. I think the best scenario for Snider is alternating back and forth from 5 to 6. Best of both worlds. On one hand they get to play other schools with similar population. On the other hand they get to rumble with the absolute best. That being said, if I had to make a choice, it would be 6a. Nothing better to me than watching the Panthers line up against giants like Carmel and Penn.

Personally, I'd make NP a slight favorite. And that's a compliment to NP considering how good I think Dwenger is going to be. And Dwenger will be battle tested. The SAC is a beast this year.

Did they not have the room to do better than 800 seats on the visiting side? That's going to hurt ticket sales when they play Snider, Homestead, Carroll, and Luers. It's a beautiful stadium and I'm happy for Dwenger, I just think it's going to hurt ticket sales for the big games.

No one is saying they aren't the favorite. I'm just saying that when Dwenger beats them in the state finals, it won't be a "monumental" upset.

Does Dwenger share the gate with their opponent?