Indiana's pathetic schedule plan won't con playoff committee

Here’s the irony in Indiana canceling games against Virginia in two upcoming seasons and replacing the Cavaliers with even meeker opponents: If the Hoosiers aren’t good enough to beat Virginia, they aren’t good enough to make the College Football Playoff. Heck, if they can’t beat Virginia, they’re probably not good enough to make the Pinstripe Bowl.

This decision isn’t just pathetic. It’s unnecessary.

By ducking Virginia, and flaunting its scheduling choice at Big Ten media days, Indiana is begging the selection committee to treat it like gimcrack the next time it builds something resembling a playoff résumé – if there is a next time.

And for what?

Virginia last tasted a winning season six years ago.

Curt Cignetti’s upstart Hoosiers could beat Virginia when they were scheduled