itiswhatitis

I mentioned Michigan, Nebraska, and Penn State because those programs are "brands" and have storied histories. The conference needs them back in the top 10 - 15 in the polls. I would disagree about Frost being the right guy at Nebraska. They don't seem to have done much since he's been there. I think they aren't getting the high caliber recruits like they used to. Could be wrong. I agree about Fitz. Northwestern isn't exactly a hotbed for football and the magic is fading I think we'll see Dantonio retire in the near future. He doesn't seem to have the fire he used to have. Wisconsin ALWAYS has those road graders for linemen. Doesn't matter much who the running back is. But not being able to pass, doesn't cut it. Actually I forgot about Iowa. I have mentioned them in other posts and said that IU needs to get where Iowa is. Some years when you think they are going to be down and Boom! They go to a bowl game. Sneaky good. I thought Harbaugh was the guy at Michigan, but apparently he isn't. Maybe one of these other teams should try to snatch up Ferentz Jr BEFORE dad retires. LOL As far as IU is concerned, they appear to be on the rise. I think Allen is doing a better job at head coach then Wilson ever did. Is he their guy? I guess that remains to be seen. I know one thing: the man IS passionate about football and his team. And he is recruiting better than a lot of the other coaches before him did. I know he has "connections", but sometimes that helps. Going forward, it will be interesting to see how long IU's rise will last. I believe this last recruiting class was one of the best that IU has had in a long time. Getting to a couple of bowl games will only enhance the recruiting (or that's the rumor anyway).

And let's not forget Luers won 4 in a row from 2009 - 2012. Warren Central won their 4 titles from 2003 - 2006. LCC is just the most recent program to do it.

Man, that's a tough call. I was hoping Nebraska would get back to National prominence, but they can't seem to find the right coach to turn it around. The conference needs them to step up. Same for Michigan. Ohio State, Wisconsin, and occasionally Michigan State has carried the conference for a few years now. We need Penn State, Michigan, and Nebraska to all get better. Penn State has gotten better, but still need to get a couple of those teams to rise up and get in the playoff picture and get those nasty SEC pukes out of there. LOL I'd say at least for this year, IU has improved (climbed) while Nebraska has fallen, although they have been falling for a while now. A couple more wins and IU is going to get votes in the polls! Now there is a crazy thought.

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Man, I'm worn out just from reading about all of that effort! It was a crazy game for sure and one that Miner players and fans will talk about for years to come. Just another part of the "legend" that surrounds Roy Williams Field during the tournament. It becomes "electric" there during the playoffs.

That's a pretty high ranking from Cal Preps. I guess we have to ask: Can they sustain that type of play for 6 more games? I hear ya. True dat!

Never mind. I just saw the Hoosiers are a 1.5 point favorite.

Anyone seen a line of this game? Who's getting points?

I felt the same way. It was a rock solid first half! I thought to myself at halftime: "I hope this is an indication they are tournament ready". Playing bigger teams (size wise) is no new thing for the Miners. It seems like most weeks they have been smaller than the opponent. At the beginning of the season I predicted the Miners would go 7 - 2. They did me one better. It's been a great season. Looking forward to an even greater tournament!

Been to New Mexico and it's okay, but I prefer Arizona. Lots more to do in Arizona than in New Mexico. Don't know if I could switch from the B1G to the PAC- 12 though. Good question.

It's kind of weird: Central beats Memorial, Memorial beats Mater Dei, and Mater Dei beats Central. And all of the games were close scores.

So swim at night. LOL The one thing bad about Tucson is that personal crime is high. Lots of break in's if you don't live in a gated community. I'm looking at property in the foothills. Not quite as hot as on the valley floor. They do get more snow there (foothills) in the "winter", but that's okay. A few weeks a year isn't that bad considering I've lived in the Aleutian Islands and in Iceland so I think I can deal with a few inches for a few weeks. LOL

Oh I thought someone said you were. I'm interested in Arizona myself, but looking at Tucson. Spent a week out there a few years back and fell in love with it. As far as 115 degree temps? That's why they have air conditioning. LOL You play golf early in the morning or in the evening to keep from getting fried. I found it amusing they keep the grocery stores open until like midnight so people can shop when it's cooler. I like the fact they have 320 days of sunshine per year. Besides, there's none of that nasty humidity to deal with.

So you just assume from my "hone school" I'm biased? Tsk, tsk, tsk. No punches were thrown and there is no scuffle. You got called out with facts and you have no answer. Now you are trying to bait me into something that isn't there. Hey wait a minute......Did I read someone say you are retired and living in Arizona? Where in Arizona? I'm being serious by asking.

And isn't Luers dropping back into 2A after being in 3A? Maybe that's another reason for people picking them as a dark horse. They went to semi-state last year in 3A. At least I think that's what I read.

Keep in mind I wasn't one who suggested Luers as a dark horse. But looking at their schedule, I can see why some people would feel that way. While I get your questioning them not scoring a point on the 6A teams they played, you have to keep in mind those 6A teams are all top 20 in their class! So I have to wonder how many other 2A programs could score on those teams? I have to think that Luers won't see a 2A tournament team the caliber of a 6A school, especially top 20. Whether people believe in SOS or not, it is a factor in the post season. If Luers is healthy, I now have to consider them to be a tough out. My dark horse is Scecina.

How is stating facts having a " giant chip" on my shoulder? Seems to me you want to start something where there is nothing. You accused me of "southern bias". I didn't talk anything at all about southern football. Go back and read my post again. Where was the southern bias you accuse me of? You seem to be the one with the issue. You got called out on Boone Grove's schedule and have no answer. I have no issues, no "beef". Just talking football. So c'mon, get real DT. I've always thought you were better than that!

I can't answer for Justasporsfan, but I'll chime in with this (and sorry but it has to involve SOS): Luers' SOS is 27th. That's 5 spots better than five 6A teams! Unlike most other smaller schools, Luers plays ZERO 1A or 2A teams on their schedule. They play three 6A teams, three 5A teams, two 4A teams and one 3A team. Do you think any other 2 A team has played close to that kind of competition? Me neither. If they are healthy, they could go on a deep run. So I get the "gaining steam" about why some people would pick Luers as a dark horse. Forget about the 2 - 7 record.

Cass's SOS is 91. Pioneer's SOS is 197. Don't' know about their health status.

Your statement wasn't a "point". it was an opinion. Points are usually based on facts. Fact: NV won the game against PH and won by 6 points not 2. Opinion: PH is just as good as NV.

And what issue is that? I was just stating facts to back up my statement that Boone Grove has played no one. So they play in Valpo? So what? Does that make their bad schedule better? Typically 2 teams from the top ten play for the state title every year. BG is currently #8. I don't see that as a dark horse. Wouldn't a dark horse be outside the top ten? I mentioned Scecina because they are outside the top ten at #11. And I didn't appreciate your backhanded commend about southern bias. I never talked about the south at all in my post. Sectional 33 is a 3 team race: Rensy, BG, and Andrean. No one else in there will win it.

And I'll raise you with this: Class Team Class rank State rank 3A John Glenn 35 182 3A River Forrest 47 241 1A S C. U. Mills 40 273 4A East Chicago 48 214 2A Wheeler 42 223 3A Hammond Central 29 152 4A Griffith 46 192 1A Lake Station 60 315 2A Whiting 55 262 You can brag about playing 3A and 4A teams all day long, but when they are all bottom feeders, I see a 9 - 0 team that has played no one and SHOULD have been 9 - 0 with a schedule that easy. The toughest team they played was Hammond Central and they are close to being in the bottom half of the state's worst teams. And you realize there's what, 320 teams in Indiana? I'd sooner call Scecina as a dark horse. They play in the Indiana Crossroads conference (who is no stranger to state champions in recent years) and get tested most weeks. They currently have a 6 - 3 record. And while one of those losses was to 1A Lutheran, they are one of the favorites to win the 1A title this year. Scecina was no stranger to deep tourney runs when they were in 1A and they still are now that they are in 2A. Solid program.

Their Strength of Schedule is 261. Kind of easy to beat up on everybody when you play against no competition, isn't it?

And I'm sure the would love to have a "redo" on the 2 losses they have.

Which game was that? The final score of the game was 42 - 36.