BTF

I think this year is the exception to the rule. It's pretty much been decided on a national level that the ACC has two of the best four teams in the country.

Texas A&M is out in my opinion. Here is why: Alabama will beat Florida. Even if they don't........ They are in. Ohio State will beat Northwestern. They are in. Clemson will beat Notre Dame in a game decided by less than 17 points.. Both teams are in. No chance for Ohio State if they lose. Texas A&M slides in. Notre Dame loses by 30+. Texas A&M slides in. A Clemson loss by any amount. Texas A&M slides in.

Confident, even though Clemson will be as jacked up for this game as they have for any in the past five years. I'm not saying the Irish are going to lose, but any margin of defeat up to 21 puts them in the playoffs. The debate comes at the mid 20's. Positive 28 could push them out in favor of a one loss or undefeated team. Two loss teams can forget it. As far as a prediction goes. It's hard to beat a great team twice. Clemson may want this one a little more than the Irish. Tigers by 7.

1. So what qualifies you as a good football team out of 130 Division l programs? Can we agree on the Top 30, leaving the other 100 teams out? The teams Wisconsin lost to are ranked 11, 14, and 16 respectively. If you think only 16 teams should qualify for "good team" status, then you make a pretty good argument. However, Sagarin has Wisconsin as the 12th best team in the country. Wisconsin not a good team? Not buying it. 2. Agree. Home field advantage is not the same when there are no one in the stands. However, there's still that level of comfort playing on your own field rather than getting on a plane, sleeping in a hotel, and using the visitors locker room. Can we at least agree that there is SOME advantage? 3. Agree. One game shouldn't dictate how you play the rest of the season. Notre Dame didn't collapse when Michigan handed it to them last year. Difference in coaching? 4. That's sad. I would much rather see an undefeated Coastal or Cincinnati over a two loss Georgia, Florida, or Iowa State. Time for eight teams? Six Power Five (including independents) and two outside the Power 5? 5. Hard not to be now. I hope he stays at IU no matter how much anyone throws at him. The grass isn't always greener.

1. Losing to Iowa, Indiana, and Northwestern doesn't necessarily disqualify them from Top 25 status. 2. Not sure how you can make a case for getting on a bus or a plane and then sleeping in a hotel room being an advantage. 3. I don't recall boasting about Penn State. Although you could give IU credit for sending them on a downward spiral. 4. Agree. We'll find out how much that is justified this postseason. 5. False. I just think Iowa State at #6 is rather insulting. If you actually think I had an agenda, it would be more accurate to say "LA-Lafayette is getting screwed." They are the ones who beat ISU by two touchdowns, not IU. 6. I'm especially happy for Tom Allen. I always felt like he was a great individual. I also thought that IU blew it when hiring him. How wrong I was.

Indiana's best win was on the road against a good Wisconsin team. They took Ohio State to the wire in Columbus. Everyone else they beat in convincing fashion other than Penn State. I'll take Georgia and Florida by 9 in IU's current state. I would give them both 3 against the Hoosiers if Penix were healthy. And I'm really giving those teams the benefit of the doubt since they are in the SEC. With any luck, we'll find out the real answer on New Years Day. Not sure what any of this has to do with IU being better than Iowa State. I think most are still struggling with the idea that IU has a pretty darn good football team. Good offense, good defense. If we are talking "eye test," they pass with flying colors. Hard to deny that.

There is no case. It's almost embarrassing to see them ranked that high. And it really makes you question the mental stability of those on the committee. They are a two loss team in arguably the worst Power Five football conference. They were waxed by a team that has a better record and is ranked 13 spots behind them. They have close victories over Texas and Oklahoma. Sure the Oklahoma win would have been impressive four years ago. Texas? Great if we go back to the 90's. But this is the year 2020 and the Big 12 stinks. It reminds me of last year when they beat Texas and lost to Oklahoma and Baylor by a combined three points. Iowa State is this, Iowa State is that. Then they actually played a good team that resided on the eastern half of the country and got waxed 33-9. The exact thing would happen this year. Notre Dame and Ohio State would beat them by two or three touchdowns. We're probably talking four or five touchdowns against Clemson or Alabama. Iowa State ranked ahead of Indiana? Really?......................................Florida and Georga? C'mon man! LA-Lafayette? Are we being serious right now?

I don't even think it's a debate. Defense wins championships and Ohio State's leaves a lot to be desired. Notre Dame beats Ohio State this year 8 times out of 10. Can someone please fill me in as to why Ohio State continues to be put on a pedestal along with Clemson and Alabama? Clemson (even with their loss this year to the Irish) and Alabama are in a league of their own. I get sick to my stomach every time someone mentions them in the same sentence as the other two. In 2014 they looked mediocre before bringing in their 3rd string quarterback. That's when the Buckeyes hit their stride on their way to impressive victories over Wisconsin, Alabama, and Oregon. But what have they done between 2015 & 2020 other than solidify their spot as the 3rd best program in the country? Absolutely nothing to deserve being mentioned along the same lines as Bama and Clemson. And they better take notice, because the Irish are closing the gap fast for that 3 spot. On another note, the Big Ten is making fools out of themselves. First it was canceling the season only to concede later on by allowing their football programs to play. Now it's changing the rules so that the leagues best team (or one of the top two if you want to consider IU's near victory over them in Columbus) can play in the league championship. It's starting to look comical on my end, not sure how everyone else feels.

Appears that way. Gotta feel for those South Adams kids. What a team that tiny little community put together this year.

Lol, I see it now, thanks. Much respect for 1A football. South Adams, Adams Central, and Pioneer have built amazing programs.

Snider players are flocking to South Adams? You must be referring to an isolated incident. I'd have to question your "all the time" claim. South Adams is an hour drive from Snider in a tiny town of 4000 that is heavily populated by the Amish. Not real appealing to a Snider kid. The expectation at Snider is that the kids (64 D1 players over the years) will rumble with Carmel or Penn deep in the playoffs. Leaving that to pursue 1A football to knock heads with Adams Central and Churubusco just doesn't seem to add up.

It all starts at the top. Parents and coaches.

Catholic kids seem to have a strong work ethic and lots of drive. Just an observation.

I was wondering the same thing.

Certainly no one in their right mind would think that is a good solution.

Confirmed. They've never met in the tournament.

Thanks for providing some facts. Impressive numbers.

My presumption with these comments is that Cathedral returns many key players? Or are we banking on "Cathedral being Cathedral" and just reloading?

Is the Fort on an up swing? Doubtful. I've got 4 up, 5 down, and one the same. But 2-3 teams in the finals isn't far fetched. I have Concordia "down" with the loss of a good senior class. However, Tim Mannigel returns and he has the Cadets on solid footing every year it seems. Plus, Chatard moves up. Concordia in the championship isn't far fetched. Snider and Dwenger, in that order, have as good of a shot as anyone to represent 5A North. Snider is on an uptick and should be back to form for the next three years. Luers? I really don't see anyone stopping them next year. No one up north anyway.

Thanks DT, that was the second good laugh I've had today.

Re-read my post. The second sentence was referring to 6A, not 5A.

Not sure what the official ruling is, but I do know that Merrillville and Snider dropping to 5A weakens 6A North considerably. The odds of the north winning state drops from 15:1 to 30:1.

Good post, especially the last part..............made me laugh. But I'll still take good coaching over SES.

I don't think it has anything to do with "sticking it to them." Covenant Christian has open borders, but South Adams is confined to the kids in their small little town. Is that a level playing field?

The only four schools with 5+ state championship are ranked 1,2,4, & 6 in enrollment. It's not just a coincidence.