Sports

ESPN Analyst Suggests Indiana Bench Quarterback Kurtis Rourke Against Ohio State To Preserve Playoff Spot

by

Kurtis Rourke

Getty Image / James Black



We’re getting down to the nitty gritty of selecting what twelve teams will take place in the first expanded version of the College Football playoffs. And, with less than three weeks to go before selection Sunday, the Indiana Hoosiers are at the center of much of the conversation.

The 10-0 Hoosiers have a chance to essentially clinch a spot this weekend if they can beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus. But, ESPN analyst Joey Galloway, an Ohio State alum, doesn’t think the team should even play star quarterback Kurtis Rourke in a bid to preserve their playoff bid.

The newest edition of the College Football Playoff rankings came out on Tuesday, and Indiana remained strong at #5. At 10-0, and with a cupcake final game next week against Purdue, you’d think their chances at getting in the playoffs at 11-1 would be considered a lock.

But, Indiana’s strength of schedule is poor, ranking around 100 in different metrics. It’s not their fault that Ohio State is the only team of the top of the Big Ten that was on its schedule this year. But, that’s how it worked out. Some think that if the Hoosiers get blown out on Saturday, they should be ranked below the plethora of two-loss teams in the SEC due to the lack of quality wins. Ohio State is the only ranked team on the schedule, and the non-conference schedule was absolutely terrible.

So, Booger McFarland has an idea he thinks is pretty smart. He suggested Indiana bench star transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke for the game to make sure he doesn’t get injured. An injury to Rourke would likely mean Indiana misses the playoffs.

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 see 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 to Florida State last year.

Yes, Joey. I’m sure the committee will love a team intentionally losing a game to keep their quarterback healthy. Despite what happened to 13-0 Florida State last year, who missed the CFP after an injury to star quarterback Jordan Travis, that’s not a good reason for Indiana to intentionally lose the biggest game in the history of Indiana football.

Rourke, a transfer from Ohio, has been a revelation in Bloomington. Despite missing a game, he has over 2,400 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions this year. In fact, he’s a fringe Heisman candidate. Indiana will need a big game from him on Saturday to keep pace with the Buckeyes.