Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - Big 10 SQUAD - Where do Iowa Hawkeyes rank in Conference power rankings?

Episode Date: July 3, 2025

Big Ten football power rankings spark heated debate. Is Penn State truly the top dog, or will Ohio State reclaim their throne?Spencer McLaughlin and his all-star panel dissect the conference's hierarchy, with USC's placement igniting fierce discussion. Mark Culkin makes a bold case for the Trojans' ascent, while others question their readiness. The crew also analyzes Washington's potential dark horse status and Indiana's win total prediction for the upcoming season.Key topics include defensive improvements, quarterback performances, and the impact of challenging schedules on team success. Jacob Goins and Craig Sheeman offer optimistic outlooks for the Hoosiers, but can Indiana really hit 9 wins against a tough slate?Tune in for expert insights on your favorite Big Ten teams and players as the season approaches. Will your team rise or fall in the rankings?

The fine folks of the Locked Out Big Ten Squad are going to attempt and probably fail to pick apart my Big Ten power rankings. We've got Indiana's win total on tap. You know today's going to be fun. You're talking ball with the Big Ten Squad, sponsored by Game Time. From USC to Ohio State, from Michigan to Oregon, from Nebraska to Washington, it's the local experts of the Locked On Podcast Network bringing you scoops, breakdowns, and the most comprehensive preview of the upcoming Big Ten weekend. No hurt feelings and thin skin allowed. Squad up, you're part of the Big Ten Squad.

Happy Thursday, everybody. Welcome to this week's edition of the Locked On Big Ten Squad. I'm Spencer McLaughlin, your host. Mark Kolkin of Locked On USC is here with Jacob Goins. Locked On Hoosiers, Craig Schieman, Indiana guy of Locked On Big Ten, Zach Seiko, Locked On Hitney Lions, Roman Tomashoff, Locked On Huskies, and boom, right on time is Jay Stevens of Locked On Buck Guys. What an entrance. Oh my goodness. Absolutely electric. I swear we did not plan any of that. We do have a great show planned out for today.

So in this first segment, this is really going to be a win-win for me because I'll either get to push back on why you guys are wrong or you're just going to have to agree with me and that's a win for me going in either direction. Goins is already counting down the minutes until we get to Indiana later in today's show. But I have compiled my big 10 power rankings going into the season. And I'm sure we'll start with the top six. Is everybody good with that? Kind of the top third of this massive 18 team conference.

All right, top six. I mean, you're running the show, so just tell us what. I just needed to get a picture. We figured you would have had a plan for this, but here we are. We don't want to debate Maryland to start. Maryland is going to be those two teams are low on my list. Northwestern we didn't want to start with their low. No,

here's here's where we'll start. You're gonna you're gonna love this take off. Yes, Mark. Just get rid of the bottom six. These teams are not in contention. Well, yeah, but then we'd be leaving out UCLA and then we can't talk about Niko and SEO dictates we have to talk about Niko. That's true. Okay, top six in the Big Ten in order. And Seiko gets to respond first for no particular reason.

Here we go. Penn State number one, Ohio State two, Oregon three, Illinois four, Indiana five, Michigan six. Seiko, go ahead. Where am I wrong? I Don't think you are all I heard of Penn State was number I'm good with that. It's definitely Yeah, it your top three across the board I think most people are gonna see this as either Penn State or Ohio State number one Oregon's going to be third because I'm sure if you ask Jay is gonna say you say, you're wrong, the Buckeyes are one, Penn State's two,

Oregon's three, and some sort of, oh, okay, wow. No. Say go, say go. This is the guy who came on my show and picked Ohio State to lose to Oregon in a game they led by 34 points. He has been scarred many a times is what I'm saying. That's right, that'm saying. Many times.

Trust issues at this point in time. But hey, Penn State being the number one team is justified. Whether or not you agree with Spencer, it is justified because they bring back a veteran quarterback to not one, but two veteran running backs, 80% of the starting offensive line, star defensive end, star defensive tackle, star safety, and then there's going to be some new faces of the offense and defense that will emerge. Oh, and they added three veteran playmakers through the transfer portal at the biggest position of weakness, wide receiver, three, a trio of senior veterans that are going to be pretty helpful in this

offense, but this is going to be a run first run heavy team. So all Drew Aller and those three transfer wide receivers have to do is not make mistakes. Yeah. Which historically they've you know, they've never, they've never done that before. Of course. Jay, Ohio State at two. Any, any objection there? Not really. No, I think that's actually a fair place to put them. Seiko, the reason why I have Ohio State two and Penn State one is due to what Penn State's bringing back and what Ohio State is trying to figure out right now. Ohio State on defense, they lost eight guys to the draft.

That's great, but you don't really know who's going to be filling in the holes. You may know their name, you're not sure how well they'll play. And so I get it, I am comfortable with Ohio State being here at number two, Spencer. I was ready to come on here and go off on you, but I can't do it right now. Oh, this is sweet music to my ears. I need to just pick me up. I've had a long coordinator. Yeah, I've had a long day at work. This is, this is great. Would anyone like to push back on that top six? I'll reiterate again, Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan. And any, any non takers for that top six?

I missed you say Illinois. That's really upsetting. I wrote down my top. I wrote down the top five. I missed you say Illinois. It was really excited about Indiana being number four, which I'm still okay with them being in the top five. I will say that I just think Indiana is better than Illinois. I think they have a better season than Illinois. I'm on the record saying that and I am dying on that hill. Well, Craig, you look like you've been itching to get in when Seiko was talking, you look like someone holding your breath while your mother-in-law was speaking. Go ahead. Flashback. Yeah. I can't. I can't quarrel with your top three. However, look, the beauty of Illinois and Indiana is that'll sort itself out because they play each other pretty early in the season on September 20th. So my question becomes, where do we put Michigan? Six are the fourth. What's the learning curve for Bryce Underwood? And you know, as he lights out all season long?

Is he mediocre in the beginning? Is he tries to figure it out? So, I mean, Michigan could move as high as four on this list, or maybe they're appropriately placed at six. And I want to hear from Mark, because I'm sure he thinks the Trojan should be on this list as well. Again, I asked what went into the thought process of these power rankings, because I'm

thinking you have to at least look back at how the team performed in their last game. And Oregon at number three seems a little bit high, especially considering their new, well presumptive starting quarterback has a touchdown interception ratio of 11 to 9. So yeah, you're bringing in a lot of talent or you have a lot of talent returning. But who's your quarterback? All I remember is what Ohio State did you did you in your last game. Why did that? Go ahead.

I didn't know that the last game of the season was defining what happens in a team's next season If that's so where should Indiana be last if Jay is gonna be cool Thanks number two because you know a lot of names you don't know what you're actually returning to you see them action Why can't we say the same thing about number three Oregon? Oh I think it's I oh no I think it's the reason that I have them both behind Penn State whereas most places probably would want to put Penn State behind behind them also to answer your direct question mark about what went into my making of these metrics I have been talking about all of these teams at some point in time and monitoring their off seasons rather closely unlocked on college football Roman has not yet had a chance jump in. I want to be fair and equitable as neutral arbiter of all things college football over here. Roman.

By the way, I saw that. You saw what? I saw his golf clap. He was supporting what Roman was saying. Oh, okay. Well, anyway. Yeah, I certainly have my questions about Dante Moore and maybe, you know, especially this flag behind me here

has nothing to do with it. Maybe I'd flip Oregon, Illinois, when we talked about returning production and all those different things. That's something I would just throw out there because the main gripe is, I want to go back to something Craig said, where Craig mentioned, what if Bryce Underwood is mediocre through the first couple of weeks of the season,

and you drop a game that you shouldn't? That's something that has really just given me pause when I think about Michigan this season is, I'd never be comfortable throwing out a true freshman starter in week one and great, you know, you have some runway to figure it out in the non-conference slate. But that's just something I will always just be a little bit reserved by is especially placing somebody that high in the top third of what really could be a really deep conference this year. Hmm. Mm hmm. Mm hmm. Craig, Craig, any any additional thoughts in there?

I think that's spot on. Oh, yeah, I think that I think that's pretty good take right there, especially the part we said I agree with what Craig said earlier, I thought that was pretty good. I want to know what Mark's drinking in that that giant bottle is that look pretty good, too. That's all juice. Is it the Oh, gosh, the audacity of this guy to bring that back.

All right, pay, pour one out. But I mean, goodness gracious, every single week. And they got Texas state, they're on the comeback. That's true. That's true. They're getting into the Lone Star state there. Look out for the pack state as some have referred to it as. We are going to refer to the rest of the

show is still to come because indeed it is and it's going to be really fun we've got the next six teams in my big 10 power rankings and any disagreement where were washington fall they definitely won't be last no they're 17th um no they're they're not they're not 17th they're 16th so that and indiana's win total coming up next on the Big Ten Squad. First, this episode brought to you by Monarch Money. Ever wish managing your money felt easier? And well, with Monarch Money, it can. Whether you're growing your savings

or planning a big purchase, Monarch puts you in the driver's seat. It's like having your own personal CFO, giving you full visibility and control over your finances. Monarch Money is more than a budgeting app. It is a complete financial command center. You can track all your accounts, investments, and spending in one place.

So in addition to managing your money, you're also building wealth. Do you have that one financial goal you've been wanting to reach for a while? Maybe cut back on your spending, maybe save a little bit more, whatever it is, Monarch Money is here to help you get serious about it. Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKDOWNCOLLege at Monarch Money is here to help you get serious about it. Take control of your finances with Monarch Money.

Use code locked on college at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year. That's monarchmoney.com. Code locked on college for half off your first year. Check them out at monarchmoney.com. So after basically universal agreement that I nailed the top six in the Big 10 power rankings. We'll proceed with the next crop of teams. And Mark, I do factor in head-to-head matchups from last

year unless there has been a significant undertaking in one side or both sides with the rosters. It's why Ohio State and Oregon both beat Penn State last year, but Oregon and Ohio State lost so much. Penn State brings so much back. They should be viewed as a top team in the big 10 in my view. So with Michigan number six, next crop, Iowa, Minnesota, USC, sorry, Marcus, the head to head difference, Washington, Nebraska, Michigan State. Well, if it's the head to head difference in Washington should be above USC. Yeah, but there are other circumstances in there.

Unless it fits his argument. He forgot to add that. Forget that. Okay, hold on. I'm reading them one more time. Iowa at seven than Minnesota USC, Washington, Nebraska, Michigan. So I want the fans to understand this, that we did not receive these beforehand. Nope. It's called, it's called, it's called live reactions. We're taping this ahead of time. We want to give the fans an authentic viewing and listening experience. Jacob, try to keep up. I'm not good enough to react to eight teams at a time. I'm not good enough. I'm not good enough. I'm sure the most authentic person here. Well, we all know that that is just false, but we wish it was true. Of course.

So Mark, I'll start with you. If you were making your Big Ten power rank. Well, okay. I'm presuming Mark would care to learn anything about another team in the big 10. And that is asking a lot. But hypothetically, Mark, where do you think USD should be? Five. Five. So you would put them, you would put them ahead of Illinois and USC Illinois underrated great game in college football this year You would hit put them ahead of Indiana and Michigan Yes You may lay out your argument now and then Jacob will push back

So I'm thinking back to last year in the games USC lost those head-to-head matchups Which by the way USC doesn't play Minnesota this year, so I don't know how that comes into play this year. You brought up another team that USC lost who head-to-head that they don't play this year, that you have ahead of them. So I'm just trying to follow your rules here. I think back to how USC played last year and the games they lost, on the road, how close they were and how much they improved on defense. And I think, hmm, pretty good chance USC's defense is going to be as good, if not better than last year. I'm going to assume USC bounces back a little bit on offense.

So you combine all that, I'm thinking, because the team is besides Penn State who returns basically everybody on their roster, everybody else is right here. What's the difference between USC and Oregon? Oregon's off a season where they just won a Big Ten championship and do indeed have plenty of those pieces back.

The staff has proven that they can go and win this conference championship and that's all. All the games coming off a game that they just got taken behind the woodshed in their biggest game of last year. And I have them behind that particular team in my rankings for that reason. With a quarterback that's got a touchdown to interception ratio of 11 to 9, wide receivers that you're unsure about, an offensive line that you're unsure about. I'm not unsure about anything. You were counting on Evan Stewart this year,

you're not anymore. That is true, that is true. I do love the talent in that room though. You're living a flux, and you're relying on your defense. The defense that got its butt whooped last year. So again, what really, what is the significant difference? By the national champions, you leave that part out. You act like it was on a weekly basis, but it was in it was in one particular game against

the eventual national champions. Going back to what Jay said in the first segment. You know the names you don't know what you're getting in production. So Ohio State's getting well, they're Ohio State. So they're going to be good. That's what you're ranking them on right now. Well, if you came into that, if you came in with that approach for Ohio State in the last 10 years, when would you have been wrong?

Until we actually see it. They're starting a new quarterback. They're starting eight new guys on defense. They've got a lot to prove. Yeah. Number two, because they played in the national championship game. I get that. But the difference between you,

where you have USC and all those teams above them is negligible for the reasons I just brought up. You don't know anything about anybody's quarterback or what they're gonna do because of all these new players, they're gonna be playing. Michigan- But Mark, you used a term there that I wanted to highlight in particularly to USC is until you see it, what is USC showing us that they should be a top five.

I talked about their improvement on defense, which was significant, a 10 point improvement and their losses on their road. I don't see it. We can't believe it. I don't believe it. Great. Don't believe it. But I'm pointing out what is the difference. And that's really the argument we're having here. You know, Spencer went on this, you know, this is my list. And it's right because I follow college football. How dare you, Spencer?

I know. I know. The audacity. follow college football. How dare you Spencer? I know the audacity. If I made a list, it would be right. But I made it. College football and we laugh at their power rink. I just think there's six or so I know there's six or seven teams in the Big Ten that return more starting production from last year to this year than USC does and what has USC

or Lincoln Riley shown that they should have any sort of hype or expectations going into 2025 until they prove it on the field. Let me ask you this, Penn State brought in three wide receivers to shore things up. Would you take their three transfers over McKaylem and Jacobi Lane? I'd take their offense over yours, absolutely.

Well, not the question I asked you. That's included in that. Yes, I would, I would take them. Yes, I would. We're talking about roster personnel returning. Yes, I would. I would take them. Yes, I would. We're talking about roster personnel returning. Yes, I would take them. But you just don't plug in. It doesn't work that way.

It's not a video game, OK? I would take them to answer your question. I'd take them to answer your question. Yes, you would take three transfers coming into a new system over wide receivers who are pretty damn good, who have been in the system now going on their second, third year.

Because of the system, yes, I would. Carry on your conversation, gentlemen. Okay, by the way, Mark on system, can you name the only offensive system in college football to produce back-to-back Heisman Trophy finalists at quarterback? I mean, I can't, I know. The baby's first offense in Oregon, Chena. I know of one. From the month of that one. Yeah. Sorry. Roman. What was the score of

that game at Austin last year? Can you refresh my memory? Oh, I'll get closer to big. Oh, thank you very much for that. I don't remember. I don't remember. Everybody. All right. We can only bring up. We can only bring up games in which Washington is one. Of course. Of course. That is the case. Roman, would you like to make a case for Washington to be higher on this list? Or do you think I have? I would. Okay, go for it by all means. I think that Washington should be above every team

on this list that's not Iowa. I think that they've made some. In the second tier you mean? Which just as remind everyone is Iowa, Minnesota, USC. Iowa. Trent is not gonna be happy. Mark Grunowski. Mark Grunowski, the savior of Iowa.

No, I do. I think Washington has made all the necessary improvements on defense. You go out, you add six guys to your front seven through the transfer portal. You go and get the best quarterback in the country out of the transfer portal into Tocario Davis as well. I think you've made significant improvements

on that side of the ball. You showed up the offensive line. You were trying to fill steel all Americans on the offensive side and Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston. And then you have a quarterback who proved last season that he is ready to make the leap and be a starter full-time. Yeah, he lost both his starts,

but if you watch those games, you would say that kid, to quote a good friend of mine, Christian Cable, is an obvious star And is ready to make the lead take a step forward in an offense that is pretty well suited for his skill set That's pretty good case. That was not that was nice and concise. That was as well thought out That was really good from Roman. You've come a long way along You've come so very very far Okay, but bottom row row, wrap this particular conversation,

which has just been so much fun. And then we will get to the real fun part of today's show. Jay, you may start. Do you think any of these teams should be swapped with others in tier two? I won't go crazy with this, but I think Michigan State will not be 12. I have a hard time putting them at 12 because part of me believes this is the year that

they start to move up the big 10. It wouldn't definitely be in the top six, but I think them in Nebraska and Washington will probably be pretty close with how I think that Michigan State will be better in 2025. Craig? I don't know what it is about me and Roman today, but we are locked in together. I would put Washington way higher on this list. Repeatedly throughout the summer on Lockdown Big Ten, I have talked about, I think Washington's my sleeper team.

I think Demond Williams Jr. is my sleeper superstar who's gonna break out this year. Every time I watch that kid play last year, I'm like, why is he splitting time with quarterback? Why is he not starting? I think he's a star. They got the solid running game with Coleman and a good receiver at Boston. I would put Washington higher on this list, maybe as high as seventh to start this list.

One thing I forgot to mention earlier when we were discussing Bryce Underwood in Michigan and how big the adjustment process will be, I'm sure there will be a big adjustment for him throwing 12 passes per game. That will be pretty sizeable. It'll have to be good on those 12 passes. He said this week they've added pages to the playbook.

They're going to air it out. It's the air raid. So is that 12 to 15? Yeah. What are we talking about here? Well, you guys didn't see that highlight from 15? Yeah. What are we talking about here? Well, you guys didn't see that highlight from the spring game. They're like, oh, watch out for Bryce Underwood.

And it was like a double verse trick play. Like, oh, oh yeah, oh, terrifying. Who will see it coming? Nice, nice. Yeah. All right, all right, Seiko. Take your final shot at my big 10 power rank because everybody else so rudely has.

There's not a lot that separates, I think, after you have Oregon and Illinois, five and six are debatable. You could put Indiana there, you could put USC there. I think Michigan maybe is outside because they are, I think maybe they're seventh and you could make that case for a USC, but you could also make that case for Washington as well.

What is Washington have offensively that USC may not? A breakout star quarterback potentially. Washington's running back is better and Denzel Boston is really good despite I, Mark, I will give you the credence there that I do like McKay Lemon and Jacoby Lane a lot if they were Penn State's wide receivers they go they would go absolutely insane but I agree with Jacob that the system is better but those individual wide receivers are better than what Penn State has versus its individual wide receivers but system does help so fourth or five through eight are very debatable. If you said, Hey, Indiana, USC, or five and six. Okay. If you say you said Michigan's at six, maybe I bumped them down a couple of spots and put a Washington above them just because they do have a little more proven commodities coming back. If you will, I couldn't I couldn't name a star who's that star running back for them. You know, Jonah, I would take Jonah Coleman over anybody that Michigan has to offer in

its backfield. And the same thing with Denzel Boston. So Roman, take this and run with it. That Washington should be in the top six. No, he had his chance. He's spoken enough today. They should be in the top six. So you could make that case for me.

So it's- Okay. I think that's well laid out. I think that's well laid out. Yeah, that's solid. I think it's time we move on. think that I think that's I think that's well laid out. Yeah Yeah, goings is goings is ready he's been chomping at the bit for Indiana's win total It's eight and a half on Fandle under please All right, right into it three two one ready fire aim Alright, Indiana's win total for 2025 eight and a half according to our friends at friends at FanDuel. Goins, you're gonna have to sit there

and listen to all of us talk about your football team before you get to chime in. And then we will provide you the stage you so richly deserve. And Craig. Indiana. I've got Craig on my side. And Craig.

That's true. That's true. We got two, but. Oh! He committed! He committed! He committed! Huge one-star offensive lineman out of the Midwest We got two, but he committed huge one star offensive lineman out of the Midwest.

No, it's 2025. We got rid of walk-ons because we're paying people. You need to get your revenue share. Craig. You're a getting your money, baby. We just had a commitment on the squad. That's a, that's a first. That is, that is a first. That is a first. That is a first. That's a great decision young man that you're gonna be very happy with your decision. Yeah he hits the portal in less than two years. Okay so uh Indiana eight and a half they they to me are a classic pullback team. They they had a beneficial schedule. I lobbied for them to get into the playoff. I'm glad they did last year.

Thought they got screwed a little bit in the rankings, but alas, you've got Illinois at home. You've got to go at Oregon. You've got to go at Iowa. You've got to go at Penn State and not stumble anywhere else. Under eight and a half wins for Indiana. At my own peril, I am going to fade Kurt Signetti here.

Mark, you may start things off for the gallery. Yeah I'm just hoping that Indiana's ready to play Illinois after that brutal gauntlet opening. It is tough. This is embarrassing. Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and I actually appreciate the Indiana State thing there and rivalry game I get get it, but still not division one. Um, so yeah, we're going to find out how good Indiana really is and really how good Illinois is. Everyone's jumping on the Illinois bandwagon. They won how many games last year?

10. They returned Luke Altmeyer, the second best quarterback in the conference returning if Indiana can win that game and it's a home game, they should win it. They return Luke Altmeyer, the second best quarterback in the conference returning. If Indiana can win that game and it's a home game, they should win it. Right. You know, Indians on their way, they can get to nine wins. Just like the US, the Illinois is the pivot game. I think you're going to find out if Indiana can sustain what they

started to build last year. It'll start at Illinois. I love the mental darts game I get to play at trying to figure out when Mark is done talking. It's just these prolonged pauses. I'm like, oh, he's doing, oh, no, no. Okay. Not done. All right. All these years doing shows together, Mark, and I still haven't figured it out. Roman, eight and a half, Indiana. I Hey, don't sleep on Iowa wait mark you probably slept on Minnesota and Maryland last year. Oh, I I've kind of been wavering because I think that that Iowa game will be the defining game of the season I think that Indiana I like what signetti's doing. I think they can be Illinois at home So I really think when I look at the schedule,

it's going to come down to that Iowa game as to whether you're going to go under or over. You know what? I think they win that game. Jacob, I'm with you. Let's take the over. Oh, Roman's just out here kissing rear ends all show long, just getting crag in his corner. Now you got Goins on his side. Before you know it, Roman will be out here saying that Ohio State's gonna go back to back. and then you're gonna have to get your friends all show long just getting Craig in his corner now you got goings on his

side before you know it Roman will be out here saying that Ohio State's gonna go back to back. Jay what do you make of the Hoosiers this year. This is tough because this schedule is mapped out like it would have been a couple years ago where

you get three easy non conference games you get your big ten game that you should win you already got some games in the Big Ten. You're going to automatically lose. Oregon's going to beat IU and who else do I have beating? Penn State is going to be Indiana as well. The tricky games to me are the Illinois at Iowa, the Michigan State game and the Wisconsin game.

The lucky thing for, I guess, for Indiana is you're playing Oregon on the road after an off week. The tricky thing is it's on the road at Oregon. I wanna go over so bad. But I have a hard time buying into Indiana doing this back to back seasons for the first time in school history. I understand the non-conference thing, they map it out. They did it five to ten years ago and those games were needed for

Indiana to at least have a chance to be eligible. You're gonna blow those teams out. I don't have a good feeling that they're gonna get over eight and a half right now, because in me, I live in Indiana, my mom went to IU, I've never seen it. I've never seen them go back to back big years, and I can't buy into them doing it right now.

Jay, when you were talking about Otzen Stadium, I really wanted to make a jab about how hard it is to win there. And you know, for some, there are certain things, you don't talk about on this show and that's one of them. Don't yeah, for some reason with you would know with anybody else. Fine. But with with you, I I bit my tongue on that one for no reason in particular. I like that we're nitpicking games again.

Just gonna throw that out there. What do you mean we're nitpicking what? I'm just saying we talked about the Rose Bowl a little bit earlier. Recent memory, you know. Oh yeah, no, I brought this up because I said I was going to make a jab at Jay about, oh yeah, he lost at Hudson. I didn't do that. Okay, Craig, we'll get back to you.

And Craig, you're gonna go before Jacob. The Indiana folks have to wait and listen to the slander and the tomfoolery from the crowd here. So Seiko is next. So, I mean, breaking in a transfer quarterback is still, you're gonna have to get used to the chemistry. That's what I'm looking at because this schedule just does not lay out well for Indiana.

Those games that are toss-ups, Illinois, Iowa, and I think to an extent because Indiana is good, but playing at Oregon obviously doesn't help them. Those games all back to back to back like that when your QB is still going to have to get used to the system and the players around him. If those were at the back end of the schedule, I'd feel more confident to say, yes, this is a nine and three, a 10 and two team. But because this is so front loaded where you're not going to know anything about yourself, you're not going to learn anything new against Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State. That's where those three opening games really don't help

the Hoosiers because you're not going to learn anything about yourself. So Illinois is that first game. Illinois is bringing back the veteran quarterback that's been there for multiple years, that's shown progression each and every single year. then you got to pivot and go on the road to Kinnick and then you have a bye week, but then you got to go on the road to Oregon So there's a chance they could go on a three game losing streak and then settle in But by that time you already have three losses potentially under your belt with Penn State waiting This is an eight and four team based on that Welcome to the club welcome to the under club.

Jacob's puffing his chest out. We were proud of you. All right. It's not the team's fault. It's the way the schedule sets up. Those teams are in the back end. I think Indiana beats them because they'll, they would get better, but you can't help the way the schedule is.

All right. All right. Craig and Jacob have waited patiently. Craig, the floor is yours. First of all, Jay, what year did your mom graduate? She might've been my classmate there back in the day. you're not going to be able to do that. Alright, Craig and Jacob have waited patiently. Craig, the floor is yours. First of all, Jay, what year did your mom graduate? She

might have been my classmate there back in the dress. You're just committed. I'm not replying to that. Oh, geez. Class of 89, by the way, I'm on you. Alright. So um. Line them up Greg get them. First of all

Alright. Jay's trying to avoid conversations about regrettable nights in Bloomington in the 80s. Alright first of all let's go back to the beginning um when you said look they're not hitting the 11. They're not going to match. They're going to have a regression from last year,

but not that much, man. I'm taking the over on this. I mean, OK, we got the three layups. We're winning the first three games. Obviously, everything hinges on the Illinois game. I think we're winning at Iowa as long as that's not at nighttime at Kinnick Stadium. I got to check the time on that one.

I'll concede the loss to Oregon. They're beaten Michigan State. Michigan State's a year away. UCLA, Indiana crushed them at the Rose Bowl last year, and I don't think Nico's going to do that great. I don't think he's got all the weapons over there. They'll win at Maryland. I'll concede a loss to Penn State,

although I would take IU on the points because IU always plays very well at Beaver Stadium, even though they'll lose. They'll beat Wisconsin, even though they'll lose. They'll beat Wisconsin and they'll beat Purdue. So again, it comes down to that Illinois game. Right now, even without that, I think I got them at nine wins. I know I criticized somebody last time for fuzzy math, but I think we're at nine right

there. We go beat Illinois. It could be a magical season. All right, Goins. The time has come. You have waited 32 patient minutes to tell us why Indiana is going what 12? No. Well, it's funny because Craig actually hit on a lot of the things that I wanted to say. I look at the schedule that is tougher than it was a year ago. Regression is imminent. We know that but my gut tells me 10 and two right

off the rip, but that is hard to ask for. But I think nine and three is an absolute possibility. And I think it's borderline the standard. Yes. The non-conference schedule sucks. We get it. Let's move on. We're going to be three and oh there. I think the Illinois game and I actually have done a crossover with our buddy Sonny at lockdown a line. I that's a make or break game for both teams that could really impact what the Big 10 looks like in the postseason. I think it being at home, I think Indiana wins that game. We will split Iowa and Oregon on the road. Better chance. Whoa, whoa. You think you're just going to walk into Iowa and win? Yes. And I'm not trying to say that Indiana has the ability to go on the road to Eugene or to Penn State and say we get wins.

So just chalk those up. Iowa, they can't score more than 10 points and Indiana proves that they can. So Indiana is going to get that one done. Michigan State, UCLA, bad. Maryland, bad. Penn State, there's the loss there. Wisconsin won't have a head coach by this time and Purdue always sucks. Isn't that right, Craig?

So nine and three at minimum for the Hoosiers, slam the over, put your rent on it, put the mortgage, put the college fund, Indiana's going over eight and a half. Put the rent on it? I think I have to give a legal disclaimer that we don't endorse betting more than you're allowed to lose.

And if you do, go to fanduel.com right now. There you have it. So we've got the two overs. Mark, you were kind of in between. No, we've got the- I just said if they get by Illinois, they can go over. And everybody seems to agree. Okay, so we're split three, three, and one.

So that means Indiana is definitely locked into a let down 7-5 season for Jacob. But we'll talk about it. Illinois is gonna win that game in Bloomington. Just wait. Anyway, Mark Kolkin, locked on USC. Jacob Goins, locked on Hoosiers. Roman Tomashoff, locked on Huskies. Jay Stevens, locked on Buckeyes. Craig Schieman, locked on Big Ten with the Hoosiers hat. That was a new one. That was good. And Zach Seiko from Locked On Nittany Lines. I I'm Spencer McLaughlin from Lockdown all over the place. Appreciate everyone listening. We'll see you next time and until then hope you all have a wonderful rest of your day