The old story of the post turtle rings true for Indiana in this year’s College Football Playoff (CFP): A farmer finds an upside down turtle atop a fence post. The farmer knows the turtle didn’t climb, jump, or fly—someone put it there. That’s Indiana, the turtle, improbably in the CFP.

Last night, Notre Dame defeated Indiana 27-17 at Notre Dame Stadium in the CFP first round. The Hoosiers, led by sour head coach Curt “Google Me” Cignetti, looked entirely outclassed and over-matched. Hooiser late-game touchdowns couldn’t obscure their inability to compete against a stronger Notre Dame squad, confirming serious questions about Indiana’s readiness for the spotlight of the big stage.

Indiana’s inclusion puzzled MANY. Their schedule was weak, padded with victories over struggling teams while avoiding marquee matchups. By most metrics, they didn’t belong in the top 10, let alone the playoff. So how did they end up among the nation’s elite? The answer lies in a mix of Big Ten media dominance, media (ESPN, Fox et. al) complicity, and fatigue with SEC dominance—elements that favored optics over merit.

The Selection Committee: “The Wrong People Knew”

As this website has stated for weeks (links at the bottom), and as Tennessee’s leftist 24/7 reporter Wes Rucker finally acquiesced and confirmed, the CFP process hinges on who holds the power. The Big Ten ensured the “right” people dominated discussions—voices sympathetic to their goals or eager to promote the narrative of parity in college football.

Don’t piss on my head and tell me it’s raining. This DEI-themed approach to selecting playoff teams ended terribly. Indiana’s weak schedule and lackluster performance didn’t disqualify them; instead, their record was framed as evidence of greatness, “what a turnaround!!” .

Better teams were left out, and everyone knew it. But as the saying goes, “If everyone knew, it wouldn’t have happened.” In this case, the wrong people knew—and they just didn’t care.

The Manuel Doctrine

The “Manuel Doctrine” was best summarized by SEC reject, committee selection chair, and current Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel, who once said, “When the SEC denies you a win on the field, you must find another way to fight—and there, ensure we win.”

Indiana became the poster child for this strategy, going undefeated in a season of favorable scheduling, inflated rankings, and low-rent competition. Few would argue the Hoosiers were one of the best twelve teams, but that didn’t matter. The Big Ten media machine transformed their pedestrian season into a Cinderella story.

By leveraging media influence and strategic lobbying, the conference painted Indiana as an underdog defying the football establishment. In reality, they were propped up by soft competition and careful positioning.

Bama Fatigue

“Bama fatigue” played its part, as pundits breathlessly pushed Indiana as a refreshing alternative to the usual powerhouses. Their weak résumé was spun as perseverance rather than a liability. It’s James Madison in the Big Ten, how cute!!

Every Hooiser victory was exaggerated as historic and monumental, every flaw excused as resilience. Networks like ESPN and Fox Sports amplified the narrative, framing Indiana as playoff-worthy while downplaying stronger SEC teams facing tougher schedules.

A Post Turtle at the Top

Like the proverbial post turtle, Indiana doesn’t belong at the top. Indiana didn’t earn its spot—it was placed there by a system valuing optics over substance. The Big Ten, it’s media allies, and a weary national audience eager for novelty all contributed to their rise.

Thanks a lot, Warde. And Wes Rucker you can say I was right anytime.

The Manuel Doctrine: On Any Given B1G Saturday

Unpacking Bud Elliott’s Viral CFP Model: A Tennessee Perspective

The B1G Plan for CFB Playoff Dominance

The Road to Prominence in 2024: Indiana Hoosiers and Kamala Harris