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November 9, 2009

George Bremer: Would of, should of, could of

It's been a season of what-ifs for Indiana college football

It’s been a season of what-ifs for Indiana’s major college football teams.

The questions started for Ball State shortly after the Cardinals’ historic 12-2 2008 season came to an end.

What if head coach Brady Hoke and star quarterback Nate Davis had stuck around for another year?

We do know the Cardinals, under Stan Parrish, are 1-8.

Hoke is 4-5 in his first year at San Diego State, and Davis is serving as the San Francisco 49ers’ emergency third quarterback.

Over in West Lafayette, Purdue has beaten Ohio State and Michigan in the same season for the first time since 2000.

What if the Boilermakers hadn’t turned the ball over so often in early season losses to Northern Illinois, Minnesota and Northwestern?

In Bloomington, Indiana has squandered a 3-0 start and is now tied for last in the Big Ten with Michigan.

What if the Hoosiers hadn’t coughed up late leads against the Wolverines, Northwestern and Iowa?

In South Bend, Notre Dame entered Saturday at 6-2 and with its eyes set on a third Bowl Championship Series appearance under head coach Charlie Weis.

After a 23-21 loss to Navy, the second in a row at home against the Midshipmen, it now appears Weis’ job is in renewed jeopardy.

What if the Fighting Irish hadn’t lost close games this season against Michigan and USC?

All the questions mean nothing of course, but they’re all we’re left with this fall.

In Notre Dame’s case, closing out games against the Wolverines and Trojans likely would have put the Irish near the top of the BCS standings before Saturday’s loss.

Contending for a national title surely would have saved Weis’ hide.

Now, the former New England Patriots’ offensive mastermind might want to update his resume and look through the NFL coordinators’ help-wanted ads.

Purdue and IU might be in Big Ten title contention today if they could have solved their woes.

They certainly would be poised for a berth in New Year’s Day bowl games.

Now, the Boilers and Hoosiers must win out just to reach the bare minimum six victories needed for bowl eligibility.

One of them definitely will not get there.

Indiana travels to Penn State this weekend while Purdue hosts Michigan State.

The following week the rivals meet for the Old Oaken Bucket in Bloomington.

But that bucket game could have been full of so much more intrigue.

The key for all four teams is what they learn from this season.

First-year Purdue coach Danny Hope should have a good team next year.

Bill Lynch seems to be turning the Hoosiers in the right direction, and Ball State really has nowhere to go but up.

Contact George Bremer: 640-4831, george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com

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