The College Football Playoff picture is coming into focus.
Indiana, a surprise contender this season, is on the bubble for a playoff spot despite suffering its first defeat on Saturday – a 38-15 demolition at the hands of Ohio State.
The loss casts doubt on the Hoosiers’ CFP credentials, but their hopes were buoyed later that day by Alabama and Ole Miss both dropping their third games of the season.
The Hoosiers’ playoff potential has been a hot topic of conversation.
Speaking to McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum predicted Indiana will make the field, though he didn’t shy away from voicing skepticism about their competitiveness.
“They’re going to get in, and now I can’t wait,” Finebaum said. “I just hope that they get to go to an SEC team’s home stadium on that Friday or Saturday night. And then I think we can find out what we already know, that the SEC team will beat them badly.”
Finebaum’s comments reinforce his reputation as an SEC loyalist – something he has never shied away from.
However, Finebaum is far from alone when it comes to his opinion that Indiana is a bit of a fraud in the grand scheme of things.
While the Hoosiers have had a hell of a season to this point, many people feel they’re a blowout waiting to happen if they get invited into the playoff field.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who earlier this year criticized SEC schools for their scheduling practices, kept his focus on the team’s next challenge when asked if the Hoosiers deserve a playoff berth.
“I don’t make those decisions. It’s more important for me now that I focus on the next game. Big rival (Purdue). That needs to be everybody’s focus,” Cignetti said.
While that’s good coach-speak, Cignetti did snap at a reporter who asked if Indiana should still be considered a playoff team following their lopsided loss to Ohio State.
Purdue, which is 1-10 on the season and winless in Big Ten play, represents an opportunity for Indiana to close out its regular season with a decisive victory.
The Old Oaken Bucket rivalry game is set for 7pm EST on Saturday in Bloomington.
A win would solidify Indiana’s case for a playoff spot, but anything less could leave their season ending in bitter disappointment.
What are your thoughts on Finebaum’s comments?
Do you think Indiana is a blowout waiting to happen if they were to make the playoffs? … If that’s indeed what ends up happening, would it cause people to think that the Big Ten is overrated???
