ESPN play-by-play commentator Sean McDonough didn’t do much to conceal his emotions in the final seconds as Notre Dame beat Indiana for the majority of the evening in South Bend. Additionally, he asked whether the Hoosiers ought to have been in the college football playoff field.

Despite finishing the regular season 11-1, Indiana failed to defeat a team that was rated in the AP Poll or CFP rankings. As most people anticipated, a one-loss team from the Big Ten or SEC would more or less easily qualify as an at-large. McDonough, however, challenged that notion.

Regarding the bubble that essentially came down to Alabama and SMU, McDonough remarked, “I didn’t understand why Indiana wasn’t included in that conversation.” “I am aware of their 11-1 record, but what about their resume made it seem like they were obviously more worthy than Alabama or SMU?”

Color analyst Greg McElroy, who was his booth companion, stated that the Hoosiers probably benefited from being in the Big Ten. Due in part to the Big Ten’s growth and Michigan and Washington’s notable regression following their appearance in the national championship the previous season, Indiana did not have an especially challenging conference schedule.

The Big Ten, I believe. It also looked credible, passed the “eye test,” and was executed well enough to stand up to poor competition, according to McElroy. “I believe that was a major contributing factor. However, I believe that some people also saw it and concluded that Ohio State had made a number of self-inflicted errors. That’s why the game went awry. Without giving it much thought and concluding that “Ohio State could have played a little better along the line of scrimmage, that game probably could’ve been worse than it was.”

The idea that the SEC and Big Ten, and especially the Big Ten, are superior to the other leagues was then criticized by McDonough.

“I think they need to stop assuming that the Big Ten and the SEC are obviously superior to everyone else,” McDonough stated. “Especially the Big Ten.” The SEC, after all, has recent history with Georgia and Alabama. However, since what year, 2002, have the Big Ten won two national football championships?

Three Big Ten teams have won national championships since the 2000 season: Michigan in 2023, Ohio State in 2002, and 2014, respectively. Teams that have won national championships since the year 2000 have also recently joined the Big Ten and SEC.

“Of course,” McDonough remarked, “Ohio State defeated Michigan in the first college football playoff last year.” However, I find it hard to see why many people assume that the Big Ten in particular is superior to the ACC or Big 12. I don’t know the basis behind that. Strength of schedule is a topic of much discussion. You’re playing each other, then. Assuming, then, that “since our league is superior to everyone else, our schedule is difficult,” What happens if your league isn’t superior to all others? Do you have a better schedule than anyone else?