iv'e never put a lot of stock in recruit rankings either. i think it's more insightful to look at their offer lists. however this year i don't think we did too well in that area either did we?
I look at class structure.
I’d rather IU (as a rival) have one spectacular linebacker, one mediocre one and one buster who can’t cover) than three solid linebackers who usually make the basic play but aren’t spectacular.
More games are lost than won.
Michigan is Michigan because if Charbonnet just isn’t making it happen against IU.. they have three other guys they can try until someone has a good day. Injury on the OL? No problem.. two safeties out? Their number four guy is probably a much much much smaller dropoff than IU or Purdue.
Opposing coordinators don’t try to beat your strengths. They may give an extra blocker if some DE is a beast.
But.. you don’t beat Purdue by attacking Karlaftis. You beat Purdue by rolling away from Karlaftis and having quick hitters that are gonna exploit:
CB Kenny major
S/CB Simeon smiley (your last TD.. wtf was smiley doing? I still don’t know)
S Brennan Thienemann
The linebackers
Coordinators expose the bottom of your roster.. they pick on guys.
So I’d be much less worried about Michael Penix doing spectacular things for IU than I would be if someone was like “listen, IU is gonna come out with Peyton Ramsey, and 16+ good solid players on each side of the ball who just aren’t gonna lose games.”
So.. having said that. Evaluating IUs class.. “did you get a game breaker?” Who gives a flying **** lol.. for you, us, Michigan State or wake forest.
Did you, in this class and previous classes (players we haven’t seen yet from previous classes) address your weaknesses!
The success Fitzgerald has enjoyed has been because of this