So, the Indiana Hoosiers took care of business last week against the Michigan Wolverines. They bested the boys from Ann Arbor 20-15. On Tuesday, the Hoosiers were #5 team in the College Football Playoff rankings.
The Hoosiers have a week off before they move on to Columbus, Ohio for a noon tilt against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Am I the only one who has seen how the stars have aligned here? I have not heard anyone mention it. Remember, when Coach Curt Cignetti went about his rant in front of an Assembly Hall crowd at an IU basketball game, he said “Purdue sucks…but so does Michigan and Ohio State!” These are the last three opponents on the Indiana Football schedule this year. Imagine it if you can.
On to this week’s picks!
Last week we went with 12 winners and 2 losers. For the season, 114 winners and 40 losers.
This week:
Pitt beats Clemson… This one is at Pitt and they are tough at home. Look for Clemson to play Santa Claus and pay for it.
Western Kentucky beats La. Tech… All Coach Helton does on the hill is win.
Ohio State beats Northwestern… It will be a sightseeing game for Buckeyes, as they are playing this one at Wrigley Field.
Texas beats Arkansas… The kicker in me sees these teams and immediately thinks Steve Little and Russell Erxleben.
Illinios beats Michigan State… The Illini are at home.
SMU beats Boston College… The Eagles will be grounded against the speed of SMU.
Louisville beats Stanford… The Cards playing a conference game at Palo Alto? Will I ever get used to this?
LSU beats Florida…. The Tigers need to bounce back, and they will do just that in the Swamp.
Penn State beats Purdue… Coach Cignetti called it when he called out Purdue.
Notre Dame beats Virginia… The Irish are a toe stub away from being the number 1 team in the land. They were beaten by Northern Illinois. Had they won that one and were undefeated, they would be the #1 team in the land. They have done nothing but get better. Look out.
USC beats Nebraska… Can you imagine USC falling to 4-6? I can’t do that yet. This one is at home.
South Carolina beats Mizzou… The Cackalackies are play well.
Oregon beats Wisconsin… But, gulp, I hope Bucky wins it.
Georgia beats Tennessee… The Bulldogs need this one for pride and to help the rest of us out by dispatching UT.
Tomorrow, I will be in South Bend to take in the Irish and Cavaliers. The last time I was at Notre Dame Stadium it was cold, snowy, windy, the field had grass (for the last time) and I was sure I was going to freeze. The Irish beat BYU and I started moving my limbs with ease about 6 AM the next morning. I am so glad it is supposed to be 50 degrees or better at Notre Dame tomorrow.
Sectional Champs. Kind of has a ring to it, doesn’t it.
With a score that is indicative of Coach Williamson’s methodical ways, the North Harrison Cougars milked as much clock as they could and leaned on the pass when they had to. Fortunately, it worked out.
The North Harrison Cougars took on the Madison Cubs Friday night for the Class 3A Sectional 31 Championship. North won 8-7. These two teams had never played before. Madison, with a roster that dwarfed North in numbers, seemed a little too confident when this one started. They didn’t expect to be hit in the mouth the way the Cougars laid the wood to them. It was a tough lesson learned.
North Harrison did a great job of being resilient and not losing their heads when they would need them. I told a friend before the game that I thought North would win if they protected the ball and did not shoot themselves in the foot with careless penalties. The penalty part of this equation did not go the Cougars way. False starts were of epic proportion. This only lends to the resolve the Cougars came with as the game was closing to a final. I was so proud of the way they held it together and came together to put a drive together that led to a TD and a 2 pt conversion. That was the difference in the game.
I got to North Harrison many years ago. 1979 to be exact. Back then there were North Harrison folks who didn’t know if a football was filled with air or stuffed with feathers. Thankfully, when Coach Williamson was hired in 2012, North finally, and I mean FINALLY decided football should be given some attention. I certainly congratulate Coach Mark Williamson and his staff for making this thing work.
I will never tire of looking at this scoreboard.
I took a picture of this trophy on Athletic Director Hal Pearson’s desk. If he sees this, he will know I did so. I sent the picture to a cousin in Mississippi. I told my cousin I hope we get to keep this thing. We did.
Well, here we go again. Not exactly. Things have changed for the better. No, I’m not talking about THAT change. I am here to report that the North Harrison Cougars won Sectional 31 of the Class 3A Indiana High School Football Playoffs last night.
The final was 8-7 and it was a beauty. We’ll talk more about this game later this weekend. I need it to marinate and savor just a little while longer, before we speak the rights about this one.
Today the Michigan Wolverines come calling to Memorial Stadium to take on the Indiana Hoosiers. And get this, Michigan is 5-4 and Indiana is 9-0. Say it with me! INDIANA is 9-0! They will get to 10 wins today for the first time in school history. My truly positive feelings about Coach Tom Allen notwithstanding, Indiana was 9-27 in the previous three seasons before this one. Let that sink in. It does not compute. That is why the Paul Finebaum’s and Kirk Herbstreit’s of the world still think Michigan will beat Indiana today, even if they tell you otherwise. Then when the Indiana Hoosiers beat Ohio State in two weeks, it might not even be a quality win just because Ohio State was defeated by Indiana. That is what the Hoosiers are still up against, even at 9-0. They can’t win when they win. I have never been a fan of the old adage “perception is reality”. My Oxford English Dictionary argues that. Maybe 10 wins will change some of that with the SEC snobs. No, probably not. I already said it would take 2 National Championships in 3 years to move that muddy needle. Hornsby said it best. That’s just the way it is. Some things will never change.
Let’s get to the picks! Last week was a weak one. 8 winners and 6 losers. Season total: 102 winners and 38 losers.
Texas beats Florida… There is a germ in me that says the Horns come out slow. Still, they win.
Rutgers beats Minnesota… I like the Scarlet Knights at home.
Ohio State beats Purdue…. Gives the Buckeyes an extra week of rest before they face the Hoosiers.
Cincinnati beats West Virginia… The Bearcats are scrappy and always play well at home.
Clemson beats Virginia Tech… After the loss they had to Louisville, the Tigers will be hungry.
Duke beats NC State… Short ride from Durham to Raleigh. Happy short ride home.
Ole Miss beats Georgia… Yes, at home with all to prove. Vaught-Hemmingway will be rocking.
Indiana beats Michigan… Y’all know what I think about this one. But chew on this: In 40 major team stats, Indiana is either #s 1, 2, or 3 in 29 of those 40. 17 of those 40 they are ranked #1.
South Carolina beats Vanderbilt… The mighty Commodores go down today.
Oregon beats Maryland… Sure hope Maryland pulls one off here.
Tennessee beats Mississippi State… Night game on Rocky Top. Lots of noise and rowdies and Vol TDs.
Alabama beats LSU… I know Coach Kelly is 13-0 in night games at LSU. I just take Milroe over Nussmeier in a battle of QBs. See who turns the ball over.
Notre Dame beats Florida State… Contractual obligations had to be involved to put this clunker on NBC during primetime.
Pitt beats Virginia… Pitt looks to rebound after a loss to SMU. look out for those ponies.
BONUS PICKS….
Montreal beats Toronto in the CFL Eastern Final… I am rooting for Chad Kelly and the Argos. But the Als should take this one.
Winnipeg beats Saskatchewan in the CFL Western Final… Think Green Bay Packers here. The Bombers and Riders are the last two community-owned teams in the CFL. They are feeling the love. I think Trevor Harris will let a ball or two sail and the Blue Bombers will take proper notice. Their D has been solid.
Just as I suspected, Paul Finebaum showed his colors this week. You know, the ones on the yellow and blue logo of the SEC. This week Paul Finebaum was poo-pooing the winning ways of the Indiana Hoosiers. He opined that if the Hoosiers are 11-1, he has given them a defeat already against Ohio State, the Hoosiers should be stepping aside in the playoff talk in favor of an Alabama team that got beat by Vanderbilt. Where’s Lewis Grizzard when you need him to talk some sense into Finebaum? I suppose forty years ago Finebaum thought the 9-4 Auburn Tigers should have been ranked above the National Champion BYU Cougars. Paul Finebaum knows the Indiana Hoosiers are not made for him. Paul works the sensationalism outside the lines. The Coach Cignetti Hoosiers of 2024 just keep winning without flair. When a player makes a big one, he doesn’t act like he is running for public office. There are no dunks to be made or chains to be worn or boxing belts. Keith Jackson would love it. Having called a few high school ballgames on the radio myself, I always come to the aid of awkward announcer speak. I always say, “Yeah, but there is air to fill there. He’s got to say something.” Paul has to say something when the SEC is feeling threatened about a playoff spot. I suppose it hurts that Indiana is the one doing the threatening this year. Paul can’t help it. Y’all should know my Tua touchdown story by now. Just more of the same.
Last week was a great one for the Indiana Hoosiers. A solid no questions asked victory over the Washington Huskies that featured an offensive line that controlled the game. A defense that rose to the occasion and made big plays. Solid kicking and a punt return by Myles Price that was almost the one I have been waiting for him to break for a TD. He broke it for 65 yards and the Hoosiers scored quickly afterwards. Justice Ellison ran the ball 29 times and made the Huskie defense earn every tackle. The energy around Memorial Stadium was like nothing I have witnessed there, and I will still be trying to believe it all some quiet Saturday afternoon come late next February.
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Last week we had 11 winners and three losers. For the season, 94 winners and 32 losers. Yes, a couple I picked were dreamboat longshots. Like I say, I don’t do this for money. I do this for the fun of it. I don’t ever want to be upset because my team didn’t win by enough points. That logic does not compute in my football world.
Let’s see what happens this week.
Miami beats Duke… And I hope I miss this one. Would love to see Miami go down.
Illinois beats Minnesota… The Illini did not have a good showing against Oregon. They need to come home and regroup.
Purdue beats Northwestern… Yes! The Boilers are going to get one at home!
Ohio State beats Penn State… Can I really be rooting for the Buckeyes and against a Tom Allen led defense? Only for the Hoosiers. Pass the Mylanta.
Ole Miss beats Arkansas… This may be a tough one for the Rebs. Who likes to go to Fayetteville?
Auburn beats Vandy… Alabama didn’t manage to accomplish that.
Georgia beats Florida… Enjoy Jacksonville today.
Oregon beats Michigan… Jack Tuttle threw up the white flag this week. The Wolverine QB said he and his concussions have had enough. That is something you can respect.
Nebraska beats UCLA…The game is in Lincoln. Early this week I came across this one and had one of those momentary lapses of reason. What is this? UCLA and Nebraska in November? Oh, yes, they are in the same conference now. It took me a minute.
Clemson beats Louisville… The Cards are good. They have missed a few plays here and there that have cost them dearly. Can they hold up at Clemson? Only if Clemson turns the ball over 5 times.
USC beats Washington… You have to think Tommy needs this one to save Coach Riley? Clay Helton is not looking so bad out there right now.
Iowa beats Wisconsin… This will be fun to watch if you like to see two mules fighting over a turnip.
Tennessee beats Kentucky… You better have oxygen for the trumpet players. They are going to be blowing off Rocky Top at breakneck speed.
SMU beats Pitt… I think the last time I saw these two play each other was in the Cotton Bowl on January 1, 1983. Dan Marino was chunking the ball for Pitt and The Pony Express was alive and well before the death penalty came to SMU. In the parlance of Keith Jackson, “This should be a good one.”
Enjoy these college football games. As usual, the football season is going by way too quickly.
Hats off to Coach Mark Williamson and his staff and The North Harrison Cougar Football team. A 14-8 victory over the Indiana Creek Braves last night was a big one. The Cougars host the Sectional Final next week against the Madison Cubs. North has visited the Sectional Final on three occasions: 2005, 2014, and 2017. The sectional crown has eluded North so far. They’re going to get this one. Last night on the opening drive, the Cougars went 71 yards in 10:27 playing keep away and scoring in the process. The Braves were frustrated. The Braves solid passing game must have gotten off the bus around Salem on the way to Ramsey last night. I expected a little more fire out of the Brave offense. A great defensive scheme by the Cougars covered their receivers well. Nice job! Oh, and watching Bryce Fessel run the ball last night was reminiscent of watching Anthony Thompson run for IU thirty-some years ago. 5 yards here. 3 yards there. 12 yards here. 8 yards there. He piled the yards up. I bet he carried the ball 40 times. That offense is a thing of beauty when the defense comes along with it. Last night, they did exactly that.
