Is Indiana legit?

[18IsTheMan]

They are 10-0 and sitting at #5 nationally.

I haven't seen them play, but looking at their schedule, they have played one team that currently has a winning record: Nebraska who is 5-4. They've played two 5-5 teams and the other 7 teams have losing records. Their schedule has been a steady stream of stiffs.

I'm fairly confident we'd be 10-0 with that schedule. They will get a chance to prove themselves in a couple weeks as they travel to OSU.

I know you can only play the games put before you, but strength of schedule has to count for something, right?

 

[SouthernBelly]

They are legit but they are not elite and I think that is somewhat recognized by having them at #5 and not #2. I know #5 can sound like "an elite team rank" but in this replay of the 2007 season it's not. Yes, they've got a soft schedule but they are also largely dispatching their opponents which is what good teams do. The Michigan win, while close, is important. That's not a talentless team although they've taken an obvious step back. Indiana won't beat Ohio St but I bet it's not a blowout akin to the last time we saw an upstart Big 10 Team get a reality check against them (Mich St. 2022).

Right now I would not have them ranked behind Penn St as the AP poll does, but maybe would have Tennessee in front of them. FTR I hate myself for saying that second part.

 

[LonghornsGamecocks]

There is only one guaranteed game to measure whether Indiana is elite or not, and it's November 23rd at Ohio State. Win or take it to the wire competitively and they're legit. Get their doors blown off and they're not.

Were I a college football betting man, I'd bet Ohio State to blow Indiana all the way into the Mountain Time Zone.

 

[KingWard]

We'll know after next weekend. But let's look at the converse of this. If Ohio State loses to Indiana at home, are THEY legit?

 

[muscleknight]

We need OSU to blow them out to keep our playoff snippet hope alive.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

If a team is 10-0 then I consider them legit.
With all the parity in CFB right now, winning 10 games doesn't just come by luck or a favorable schedule, you still have to play good football.

 

[Maccmaine12]

They’re a good team but their schedule has been really weak as well. If they lose to Ohio State, they might be outside the top 12

 

[will110]

We need OSU to blow them out to keep our playoff snippet hope alive.

Or have Indiana beat Ohio State, then Michigan upset Ohio State. That keeps the playoff Ohio-free.

 

[will110]

They’re a good team but their schedule has been really weak as well. If they lose to Ohio State, they might be outside the top 12

The committee would lose all credibility if an 11-1 B1G team is left out of the top 12. If they lose to Ohio State, it just shows they're not a top 3 or 4 team which is, of course, not the standard to make top 12.

 

[3USC1801]

I’d disagree with those who think the SEC has weakened or that other conferences are better . . .


(Note: this is a few weeks old)

 

[18IsTheMan]

Just incredibly hard for me to look past their schedule. The best team they've played is 5-4.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

They’re a good team but their schedule has been really weak as well. If they lose to Ohio State, they might be outside the top 12

It would depend on how they lose, if it's within 10 points, I seriously doubt they drop out of the top 12.

 

[vacock]

No

 

[KingWard]

They’re a good team but their schedule has been really weak as well. If they lose to Ohio State, they might be outside the top 12

You want to know who has had an easy schedule? What about Notre Dame? They haven't played a premier team yet and have played lots of mediocre teams, losing at home to NIU. But here they are in the Top 10.

 

[Maccmaine12]

You want to know who has had an easy schedule? What about Notre Dame? They haven't played a premier team yet and have played lots of mediocre teams, losing at home to NIU. But here they are in the Top 10.

I believe if they lose one more then they’ll be out. They have the benefit of having a large brand and no conference. The committee can make up a good reason to add them.

 

[Maccmaine12]

The committee would lose all credibility if an 11-1 B1G team is left out of the top 12. If they lose to Ohio State, it just shows they're not a top 3 or 4 team which is, of course, not the standard to make top 12.

You’re right but then again we saw the committee leave out an undefeated FSU that won their conference. FSU is a much bigger brand than them as well. FSU wasn’t the first team that lost their starting QB right before the playoffs either. Happened with OSU with Jones

 

[KingWard]

I believe if they lose one more then they’ll be out. They have the benefit of having a large brand and no conference. The committee can make up a good reason to add them.

Who is left who could beat them?

 

[bayrooster]

Who is left who could beat them?

Maybe Army?

 

[Maccmaine12]

Who is left who could beat them?

Who is left who could beat them?

I think Southern Cal

 

[will110]

You’re right but then again we saw the committee leave out an undefeated FSU that won their conference. FSU is a much bigger brand than them as well. FSU wasn’t the first team that lost their starting QB right before the playoffs either. Happened with OSU with Jones

I see a big difference between the 4 best teams and the 12 best teams. If a B1G or SEC team goes 11-1, there's not any reasonable argument that they shouldn't be in the top 12.

There were clear and reasonable arguments to put FSU at 5 last year.

 

[will110]

You want to know who has had an easy schedule? What about Notre Dame? They haven't played a premier team yet and have played lots of mediocre teams, losing at home to NIU. But here they are in the Top 10.

Texas A&M in College Station? The Aggies easily could end up playing for the SEC championship.

 

[KingWard]

Texas A&M in College Station? The Aggies easily could end up playing for the SEC championship.

A&M was facing their first test with a new head coach - and failed. We exposed A&M. ND subsequently lost at home to Northern Illinois. They beat a service academy team that had a nice little run going against mid-majors. Really LOOK at their schedule. Look at FSU this year. ND is playing a UPC schedule.

 

[18IsTheMan]

A&M was facing their first test with a new head coach - and failed. We exposed A&M. ND subsequently lost at home to Northern Illinois. They beat a service academy team that had a nice little run going against mid-majors. Really LOOK at their schedule. Look at FSU this year. ND is playing a UPC schedule.

And yet even their schedule is tougher than Indiana's. ND has played 5 teams with winning records.

 

[KingWard]

I think Southern Cal.

Hopefully. They would fire Lincoln Riley if the price weren't so high. But they will have my support that day.

 

[KingWard]

And yet even their schedule is tougher than Indiana's. ND has played 5 teams with winning records.

Paper tigers, every one of them. As for Indiana, they'll be either validated or exposed - probably the latter - next week.

 

[KingWard]

Maybe Army?

That would tickle me. But that would also only further expose them, which is my essential point. That's a mid-major service academy. Oh, and they play Virginia next.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

Gentlemen and Ladies,
You can debate the AP/Coaches Poll rankings, which I admit is entertaining, and where we may end up, but the truth of the matter is in the latest CFP rankings (and that is the rankings that will ultimately count) we are ranked 21.
We can win out, and even blow out the rest of our opponents. It won't be enough.
At this late stage of the season we are not gong to leapfrog 9 teams in front of us.

 

[KingWard]

I see a big difference between the 4 best teams and the 12 best teams. If a B1G or SEC team goes 11-1, there's not any reasonable argument that they shouldn't be in the top 12.

There were clear and reasonable arguments to put FSU at 5 last year.

With only four places available, you couldn't put them in. Even with 12, they shouldn't have been in, but would have been, and with a bye. This is the fallacy of an expanded system.

 

[will110]

With only four places available, you couldn't put them in. Even with 12, they shouldn't have been in, but would have been, and with a bye. This is the fallacy of an expanded system.

An undefeated Florida State wouldn't have deserved to make a 12 team playoff? Now that's a hot take.

We can debate the merits of the bye for the top 4 conference champs, but an undefeated P4 champion absolutely would be a top 12 team.

 

[hillna2]

You’re right but then again we saw the committee leave out an undefeated FSU that won their conference. FSU is a much bigger brand than them as well. FSU wasn’t the first team that lost their starting QB right before the playoffs either. Happened with OSU with Jones

There's a huge difference in these two examples - Ohio State went on to beat the living crap out of a Wisconsin team 59-0 with that back up quarterback putting up pretty big numbers. And Florida State beat a Louisville team 16-6 with a whole 200 yards of offense. I'm not saying that Florida State didn't deserve to be there, but these are not even close in comparison.

 

[Maccmaine12]

I see a big difference between the 4 best teams and the 12 best teams. If a B1G or SEC team goes 11-1, there's not any reasonable argument that they shouldn't be in the top 12.

There were clear and reasonable arguments to put FSU at 5 last year.

The only reason they didn’t put FSU in the top 4 was because of the injury to their Qb. They released that statement if I’m not mistaken. If are able to do that to a blue blood then I know they would leave Indiana out if they don’t win out. But I’m sure they put at least 3 Big10 teams in

 

[Maccmaine12]

There's a huge difference in these two examples - Ohio State went on to beat the living crap out of a Wisconsin team 59-0 with that back up quarterback putting up pretty big numbers. And Florida State beat a Louisville team 16-6 with a whole 200 yards of offense. I'm not saying that Florida State didn't deserve to be there, but these are not even close in comparison.

Yes it is fair comparisons. That backup QB won 2 games for FSU and with a month of prepping I’m sure they could’ve schemed a good game plan. Injury or not, if a P4 team win out, they should be in.

 

[Lurker123]

The only reason they didn’t put FSU in the top 4 was because of the injury to their Qb. They released that statement if I’m not mistaken. If are able to do that to a blue blood then I know they would leave Indiana out if they don’t win out. But I’m sure they put at least 3 Big10 teams in

Arebwe saying Indiana would be 11-1 and left out?

I can't see that happening.

 

[18IsTheMan]

In the current standings, Alabama would travel to Indiana.

Bama would vaporize them.

 

[hillna2]

Yes it is fair comparisons. That backup QB won 2 games for FSU and with a month of prepping I’m sure they could’ve schemed a good game plan. Injury or not, if a P4 team win out, they should be in.

That QB won 1 game and threw for 55 yards. The guy that came in after Travis got hurt said he wouldn't play and transferred. It's not remotely the same team or a team that would sniff the top 4.

 

[atl-cock]

I believe if they lose one more then they’ll be out. They have the benefit of having a large brand and no conference. The committee can make up a good reason to add them.

I still fault the ACC for taking them in without insisting that they compete for the ACC championship in football. This "we'll play a few ACC football teams each season" is a BS compromise IMO.

 

[KingWard]

An undefeated Florida State wouldn't have deserved to make a 12 team playoff? Now that's a hot take.

We can debate the merits of the bye for the top 4 conference champs, but an undefeated P4 champion absolutely would be a top 12 team.

No, with the quarterback gone, they were not playoff material and the committee knew it and did their jobs. They would have been in this year, even without him, which would have been a wasted bid, knocking out a better choice at that point in time. No system is perfect. The more automatic qualifiers they add, the more fallacious it becomes.

 

[Harvard Gamecock]

.

Arebwe saying Indiana would be 11-1 and left out?

I can't see that happening.

Seems that way. All of sudden many on here are under the impression they are now B1G football experts.
My favorite analysis has been "I took a glance at their opponents records, and therefore I determine they are not worthy of their ranking. A real deep dive dissection of that program

 

[KingWard]

I still fault the ACC for taking them in without insisting that they compete for the ACC championship in football. This "we'll play a few ACC football teams each season" is a BS compromise IMO.

It is, and always has been, an absolute joke, and a mostly one-sided joke.

 

[Maccmaine12]

I still fault the ACC for taking them in without insisting that they compete for the ACC championship in football. This "we'll play a few ACC football teams each season" is a BS compromise IMO.

Yea, other than them playing a few ACC teams each year, ND isn’t bringing much value to the ACC. With two losses and no conference championship game should leave them out the playoffs imo. That schedule is just too bad, and sometimes it doesn’t be their fault but a playoff team isn’t losing to NIU and any other team on that schedule.