‘Grade A Moron’: ESPN Analyst Ignites Indiana Hoosiers Fanbase With Controversial Suggestion

For the first time in program history, the Indiana Hoosiers have a chance to come out of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes with 11 wins, but a certain ESPN analyst doesn’t think that prospect is important enough to try to get the win.

ESPN analyst Joey Galloway, who is a former Ohio State Buckeyes player, is catching a lot of heat from Hoosiers fans after his suggestion for the program.

ESPN’s Joey Galloway thinks the Indiana Hoosiers should sit their starting QB

Despite sitting out for a game and a half, Ohio Bobcats transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke has played a huge part in leading the Hoosiers to the best season they’ve ever had.

Rourke has 2,410 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and just four interceptions with a career-high completion rate of 71.8% and a career-high passing efficiency rating of 182.7. Indiana has proven they don’t need him to win, but they have not done so against any teams that are the caliber of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Indiana hasn’t even shown they can beat a team that is the caliber of Ohio State with Rourke due to a schedule that has set up very nicely for the Hoosiers. Still, ESPN’s Joey Galloway thinks Indiana should sit Rourke in order to protect him for a potential postseason run.

Joey Galloway suggests Indiana should sit their starting QB in their biggest game in program history.

I am an advocate for an expanded playoff, I really am…but I am disgusted with the way it’s being discussed. Holy s**t. pic.twitter.com/Gba9yx0dXi

— Gabe Kuhn (@G_Kuhn71) November 20, 2024

Galloway doubled down on the notion, much to the dismay of his co-hosts who lamented the potential impact such a move could have on the program’s culture.

Later, Joey Galloway keeps going on about how he thinks Indiana should sit QB Kurtis Rourke vs Ohio State.

“You can’t do that! It’s a culture killer.” – Greg McElroy

“You can’t do that. You can’t do that, Joey.” – Booger McFarland

“You can’t be serious.” – Rece Davis #CFP pic.twitter.com/sdBpwgTExV

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 20, 2024

Maybe ESPN’s Joey Galloway idea isn’t as far away from reality as the college football world would like to believe

While the move would be disrespectful to the sport and an affront to everything college football fans hold dear, Galloway references what happened to the Florida State Seminoles last season.

The 13-0 Seminoles were left out of the College Football Playoff, albeit the four-team playoff, largely due to their starting quarterback Jordan Travis’ season-ending injury.

Even though the Seminoles did everything in their power to beat the people in front of them, it didn’t matter because the committee factored in the injury to the “eye test” and ended up letting the Alabama Crimson Tide (not undefeated) take their spot.

Galloway argues that Indiana will likely still make the playoff with a healthy Rourke and one loss to the Buckeyes. ESPN’s model shows they would still have a 96% chance. Is it worth the risk of a potential blowout loss or a potential halting of momentum?

The move would rightfully set the college football world on fire as it completely goes against the competitive nature of the sport, especially when considering a win over the Buckeyes would be hands down the best win in Indiana football history. That being said, Galloway’s idea serves as an interesting thought experiment that could easily take place as the 12-team format continues to rule college football.

What if the Hoosiers had a couple of big-time signature wins under their belt this season and had already clinched a spot in the conference championship? What if the teams on the bubble were further away from consideration? What if instead of Indiana it was a big-name program that could bank on their brand getting them into the playoffs with one loss to a top-five team?

Indiana’s unique situation makes this idea less feasible, but it is not hard to see how something like this could easily occur in future years. Still, Indiana fans are letting Galloway hear it on social media. Some lament the state of college football while others think Galloway is scared of the Hoosiers as a former Buckeye.

Joey Galloway just said Indiana should sit Rourke against Ohio State and he was totally serious…. How in the world is he talking college ball on national television 😭😭 clown show at ESPN #CFP

— Jumpman (@honestWNBAfan22) November 20, 2024

Greg McElroy incredulous when Joey Galloway suggests Indiana rest its starting QB against Ohio State.. pic.twitter.com/bre25kT4yH

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) November 20, 2024

Turned on the CFB Playoff Bracket reveal, and I am 99.9% positive Joey Galloway just suggested Indiana sits Kurtis Rourke vs. Ohio State to avoid a Florida State/Jordan Travis situation?

Surely that can’t be.

— Jeff D. Lowe (@JeffDLowe) November 20, 2024

Joey Galloway is GRADE A MORON. He just suggested that IU shouldn’t play Rourke against Ohio St. so they don’t end up like Florida St. With all the firings ESPN has done, somehow this imbecile still has a job.

— IndianaJet (@IndianaJet) November 20, 2024

This is EXACTLY what college football deserves. A Top 5 matchup this week that literally means NOTHING because both teams are practical locks to get in, and you’ve got talking heads like Joey Galloway (CORRECTLY!) suggesting that Indiana should bench its starting QB for the game. https://t.co/6tUxl8pZwL

— Adam Markowitz, EA, CSLP (@adammarkowitzEA) November 20, 2024

Joey Galloway, who suggested Indiana bench Rourke vs Ohio State is an Ohio State graduate. Makes sense. #iufb

— SheriffWoody (@SheriffWoodson) November 20, 2024

Tbh the reason Joey Galloway wants Indiana to bench Rourke isn’t to avoid injury. He’s just scared of what’s about to roll into Columbus.

— Jerry (@jarenwilt) November 20, 2024

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