Yes, this screed shall finish with my national title prediction.

But first, the long and winding road to get there. Known in the biz as a tease.

Or filler.

You ever been to an Indiana HS baskeball game?

If not, do yourself a favor and put it on your bucket list. Near the top.

I have. A couple are memorable.

Years ago, a New Albany tilt at Scottsburg. It was a time warp. Back to the days of Miracle Milan and Bobby Plump.

Ten cent popcorn. Fifty cent hot dogs. Twenty five cent Cokes. (Admittedly this was like 25 years ago, but still.)

A 70something guy leading a halftime cheer as he’d done at every Scotties home game since he was a student there. I later learned that he’d also been principal of the school.

Biased refs who whistled the Bulldogs for a foul every time they dared look at a Scottsburg player. Despite having a bunch of guys foul out, NA still won in OT.

The experience was just too quaint.

Been to a Jeffersonville/ New Albany game.

The paradigm of Hoosier Hysteria.

This is to underscore, ladies and gents, how Friday nights in the Land of Hoosiers are something totally different than in the Lone Star state. But just as intense and important.

As well as to emphasize how Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosier pigskinners have become gridiron gods in Bobby Knight/ Damon Bailey/ Oscar Robertson/ Goose Ligon land.

In advance of IU’s semi battle last Friday night, any number of high school basketball games were rescheduled. So the fawning masses could watch the Peach Bowl.

Including New Albany vs. Jeffersonville.

In Lanesville, parents have asked the school principal to delay school opening a couple hours next Tuesday morning after the title battle. So kids can stay up and watch the game to completion.

He’s turned the request into a fund raiser for a local charity.

Which is to say I’m sure that checkout guy at Costco, who was wearing a Bobby Knight nametag a few weeks back, is now got one with you know whom’s name on it.

This phenomenon is unlike any other I can recall in sports, a cultural sea change.

I love it.

 * * * * *

I do not claim to be a really knowing observer of the game.

As I say all the time, I just have the passkey that unlocks to keyboard.

Yet, I’ve been asked several times recently what I saw last year, the beginning of last season, when I jumped on the Crimson & Cream bandwagon early and fastened my seat belt securely?

As best I can remember, it was an IU kickoff that went out of the endzone for a touchback. Yet all 11 Hoosiers still ran full speed all the way to the endzone.

How they tackled and didn’t let go. How they swarmed ball carriers. How precisely they ran routes. How they never woofed. How they were pummeling teams they rarely ever beat in the past.

Plus yes that magnetic curmudgeonly presence of their coach, with his gall and confidence.

With his oh so charming smirk, that reminds me of my Grandpa Max.

 * * * * *

One play last week — among many — is an example of why Indiana is so good.

In the defenestration of Oregon, QB Fernando Mendoza broke off a run for 20 yards. But fumbled when being tackled. The loose pigskin was retrieved by Hoosier snapper Pat Coogan. Who was stride for stride with his signal caller during that scamper down field.

That’s how and why you beat good teams by 30, 40, 50 points.

 * * * * *

Can Indiana close the deal?

Finish 16-0?

Become the only school in the land that can claim undefeated national champions in both football and basketball? (IU in ’76 on the hardwood. UCLA in ’54 on the gridiron, and too many times under Wooden in hoops.)?

The Winner:

Indiana vs. Miami. Iconic Howard Schnellenberger won his only national title at the U in these same circumstances to cap off the ’83 season. In the Orange Bowl. As a distinct underdog to Tom Osborne’s juggernaut Nebraska Cornhuskers.*

*Peripheral aside defining how the world of college sports has shifted on its axis. Indiana — a basketball school — is undefeated in football. Nebraska — a football school — is undefeated in basketball. Riddle me that? 

This is easily the most fascinating post season title matchup in my lifetime. Powerhouse favorite that used to be homecoming fodder for league foes. Former dominator in the sport trying to get back to prominence, despite a couple midseason glitches.

The whole curious IU marvel. Vs. a possible retrenchment of Bad Boy U. at the top of the sport.

Sports does not get more captivating than this. Those school kids are going to be watching Monday, even if they fall asleep at the desks in the morning. So, are a lot of folks across the land who might not otherwise give a hoot. Like my pal in NY who wearing IU gear watched the semi while on a cruise in the Caribbean. Because his son graduated from the music school in Bloomington.

Can the Canes summon the force of Schnell’s overachieving gang?

Will Indiana continue to steamroll?

I’m a believer.

Cignetti wins. Google him.

—  c d kaplan