Joey Galloway advocates Indiana sit Kurtis Rourke vs. Ohio State, College Football Playoff show panel reacts

One of the most intriguing games of the season awaits Saturday as Ohio State and Indiana square off in what’s now a top-five matchup. All eyes will be on the Big Ten showdown, which has plenty of College Football Playoff implications.

In fact, it’s such a big game for the CFP, ESPN’s Joey Galloway advocated IU sit quarterback Kurtis Rourke. That statement led to quite the reaction from the show’s panel of Rece Davis, Greg McElroy and Booger McFarland.

Galloway pointed to Florida State’s situation last year when Jordan Travis got hurt late and the Seminoles missed the CFP. He argued Indiana’s spot – with the strength of schedule issues – could be similar if Rourke goes down with an injury.

Later, Joey Galloway keeps going on about how he thinks Indiana should sit QB Kurtis Rourke vs Ohio State.

"You can't do that! It's a culture killer." – Greg McElroy

"You can't do that. You can't do that, Joey." – Booger McFarland

"You can't be serious." – Rece Davis #CFP pic.twitter.com/sdBpwgTExV

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 20, 2024

“They can’t go any higher,” Galloway said. “They have a chance to go on the road and prove what they are. Now, honestly, if we believe in what our metrics are saying, if I’m Indiana, I don’t know if I’m playing Rourke against Ohio State. We saw what happened to Florida State last year with Jordan Travis. What could keep Indiana out of this? Getting their quarterback hurt. We’ve seen it happen with Florida State last year. Having not played anybody.

“If you look at 3, 4 and 5 – Texas, Penn State and Indiana – they literally have played nobody between all three teams. The toughest team in that is Vandy.”

Indiana’s strength of schedule is currently No. 106 in the nation, according to ESPN’s FPI, as the Hoosiers take an undefeated record into Saturday’s tilt. A loss might not be damaging to their CFP hopes, though. ESPN projects a 96% chance of making the College Football Playoff if the Hoosiers fall.

That’s why Joey Galloway said keeping Rourke healthy would be paramount. As a result, he stood by his call for Curt Cignetti to sit his QB.

“They go from 97% now to 96% [with a loss],” Galloway said. “Now, I know you guys blew it off, but if I’m Indiana, I am protecting my quarterback. … They have a chance to get in the Playoff and it looks like they’re getting in. We said the same thing last year, Jordan Travis got hurt for Florida State. They didn’t get in. If I’m Indiana, say what you want, I’m protecting my quarterback.”

McElroy called that decision a “culture killer” while McFarland pointed out Indiana can’t afford to get blown out. But McElroy later countered with the fact Travis got hurt against North Alabama. It wasn’t a conference game.

“Jordan Travis got hurt against North Alabama,” McElroy said. “Just because Ohio State’s good – he’s got a chance to get hurt walking down the street.”