What goes into an All-Time Ranking w/ Mark Rogers / Indiana Hoosiers LIVE 74 cover art

What goes into an All-Time Ranking w/ Mark Rogers / Indiana Hoosiers LIVE 74

What goes into an All-Time Ranking w/ Mark Rogers / Indiana Hoosiers LIVE 74

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 Episode 74 of Indiana Hoosiers Live (presented by FanDuel) features hosts Alec Keezer and Bradley Loomis joined by Mark Rogers (head of The Voice of College Football) for a deep dive into all-time college football program rankings. The conversation starts with light basketball talk from the March Madness weekend—praising the high level of play, iconic games (e.g., Iowa over Florida, Texas over Gonzaga, High Point's run as a strong mid-major), and noting the decline of traditional Cinderellas in favor of power-conference upsets or deep runs by well-resourced teams. They quickly pivot to football, highlighting Indiana's strong position under Curt Cignetti, spring ball starting soon, Mitch McCarthy's entertaining clips and culture fit, and the program's NIL/portal adaptation as a potential "gold standard." Main Segment: All-Time Rankings Methodology The core discussion compares Rogers' ongoing all-time program rankings series (starting with the Big Ten) against Loomis' "New Blood" (formerly "Blue Blood") rankings. Both use overlapping inputs like national title claims, winning percentages, conference titles, AP poll finishes, Heisman/major awards, All-Americans, NFL draft picks/Hall of Famers, bowl wins, and top-5/10/25 finishes, but they weight and define them differently. Rogers presents categories with context (without a single rigid formula yet), emphasizing legitimate national championships (his personal vetting of rightful champs per era) over raw claims. Loomis simplifies heavily toward post-1998 played-for national titles (with claims as tiebreakers), viewing pre-modern-era claims as less valid due to the sport's evolution (e.g., forward pass, desegregation around 1970, bowl games gaining playoff-like weight later, and post-1998 title games providing undisputed resolution). Key debates and nuances include: National title claims — Rogers lists what schools claim (including early 1900s or pre-AP eras) but discounts their weight vs. modern titles; he argues a 1901 title isn't equivalent to a 2025 one and is reviewing seasons for "rightful" champs. Loomis respects claims historically (especially 1968–1997 AP/coaches poll finishes) but prioritizes post-1998 on-field titles; he notes claims often correlate with future success, with exceptions like Notre Dame/Nebraska.Eras and legitimacy — Rogers breaks data by post-WWII, post-1970 (full desegregation), 21st century, and playoff era for context. Loomis draws sharper lines (e.g., forward pass as a divider; post-1998 as truly played-for titles) while acknowledging imperfections. They discuss how AP/coaches polls have flaws week-to-week/preseason but gain legitimacy over large samples.Other pillars — Winning percentage (overall and conference-specific), top finishes, bowl wins (with quality/context), and individual awards/draft production are highlighted. Rogers notes tiers stay consistent across subjective categories; Loomis emphasizes played-for titles as the ultimate measure.Examples and disagreements — Alabama tops Loomis' list due to recent titles; Indiana's 2020/2025-style success elevates them in modern views. They contrast Michigan's many historical claims vs. fewer "legit" modern ones, Ohio State's consistent elite status, and mid-major/access issues. Notre Dame's independent status and claims get special handling (e.g., estimated seeding). Rogers stresses presenting data + context over pure formulas; Loomis aimed for a fun, thesis-driven simplification that still rewards sustained relevance. Both agree the sport has evolved (athlete quality, parity at the top, NIL/portal dynamics), making modern eras weightier, and that Indiana's recent surge positions it well long-term. Additional Topics Current landscape odds (via FanDuel): Ohio State's jump to +550 national title favorite sparks debate on brutal schedules vs. consistent elite status.Indiana football positivity: Roster depth/portal strategy, Cignetti's culture, upcoming spring ball, and excitement around the program's trajectory.Closing vibes: Appreciation for Rogers' encyclopedic knowledge, calls for more engagement, and forward-looking hype for spring/2026. The episode blends historical analysis, ranking philosophy, and Hoosier optimism in a conversational ~2-hour format. Rogers' series (multiple videos per conference across 24 categories) rewards watching for full data visuals; Loomis' approach offers a streamlined modern lens. Overall, it's a thoughtful "ball knower" discussion on what truly defines program greatness. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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