Indiana rout by Notre Dame proves College Football Playoff made mistake that can’t happen again

SOUTH BEND, Ind. ― The keepers of this magnificent sport say they’ll learn from the first show of shows, this new and unchartered college football postseason.

Let’s start by figuring out how in blue blazes Indiana got in the College Football Playoff in the first place.

There will be plenty of time to lavish championship hype on Notre Dame if it can beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal. But this is an autopsy, a postmortem of Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17.

So we begin with the obvious: there has never been a bigger miss than by the selection committee in the 11 years of the playoff.

“This team earned the right to be here,” said Indiana coach Curt Cignetti, words that sound better after two excuse-me touchdowns in the last 90 seconds of the game, when everyone in the joint wanted out of sub-freezing temperatures and into the warm embrace of celebration.

Indiana wide receiver Donaven McCulley (1) carries the ball as Notre Dame defenders Adon Shuler (8) and Jordan Clark (1) pursue during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium.

It doesn’t change the reality that Indiana’s inclusion in college football’s was a monumental mistake.

“I’m kind of glad it happened the way it did,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said of the late collapse, where Notre Dame led 27-3 before mistakes on defense (and a missed onside kick) led to two Indiana scores. “It’s a chance for us to humble ourselves and get back to work as we get ready for the next opportunity.”

That next opportunity against Georgia will be a significantly heavier lift ― even if the SEC champions are forced to play backup quarterback Gunner Stockton.

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Because the difference between Georgia and Indiana is wider than the widespread arms of…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/indiana-rout-notre-dame-proves-052711086.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-21 05:27:00

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