The best turnaround in the history of college football concludes with a 16-0 season and a national championship. Richard and Alex talk about Indiana’s 27-21 win over Miami, what led up to it, and where these programs go next.

SZD doesn’t stop in the offseason

The opposite, if anything. We use these months for all sorts of creative projects that are designed to appeal to people who love college football and want to learn more about it while having a good time. History projects! Sports business! Roster moves! We’ll do all of it. (Alex would even say that his favorite subscriber shows are the ones we have time to do out of football season.) We’d love to have you:

Thanks to our sponsors, and congrats to the ones that are based in Indiana

* 20% off Dad Water: https://drinkdadwater.com/discount/SZD

* Shop Indiana title gear at Homefield

* Nokian Tyres: https://www.nokiantyres.com/szd

* Modelo: Drink responsibly. Beer imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL

Producer: Anthony Vito

THIS IS A SUBSCRIBER EPISODE: Thanks so much to the thousands of people (!) who subscribe to support Split Zone Duo. One thing you get is the knowledge that you are making this independent college football podcast possible. Another thing you get is a lot of bonus episodes, including weekly dispatches all offseason long. The football season is our busiest time, but we like to think the offseason is our most creative time, and there’s still a lot of news to talk about. Thanks so much and here’s the subscribe link.

The great Michael Felder joins Richard for a “Scheme School” episode, diving deeper into the Xs and Os of the Miami-Indiana national title game.

* How Indiana avoids having any bad concepts, ever

* Indiana’s tight end is the most important person in the world

* The familiarity between Miami’s DC and Curt Cignetti

* Are we sure Indiana can block those dudes up front?

* Why everyone here feels pretty good about the Hoosiers, whose defensive identity involves stopping scrambles like the one Carson Beck used to beat Ole Miss in the semifinal

And more! Producer: Anthony Vito

Richard and Alex look ahead to the College Football Playoff National Championship, with some thoughts on the schematics and then the unique circumstances surrounding Miami and Indiana. In this episode:

* 1:32: Our thoughts on the city of Miami

* 9:55: Brief Xs and Os preview of Indiana vs. Miami: Could Miami sack Fernando Mendoza a bunch and still lose? What about the big challenge in front of Indiana’s secondary, facing Malachi Toney?

* 30:17: Narrative preview and the significance of the title game: The U is back! Except we’re not supposed to talk about that! Also, Indiana (rat poison alert) is on the verge of a best-team-ever argument.

* 43:17: Why the playoff should not be expanded further and why the Big Ten Conference’s malignant behavior must be stopped

Further reading: CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello on the current negotiations about Playoff expansion, pitting the Big Ten against the SEC.

More listening for paid subscribers!

* Alex and Rodger Sherman’s deep dive into the lessons of Curt Cignetti’s rise, drawing on research from a 40-year coaching career, is out now

* Coming Friday, a special episode of SCHEME SCHOOL, featuring Richard and guest Michael Felder going deeper on the scheme of this game. Subscribe.

Producer: Anthony Vito

Full details here on the festivities around the game.

* 20% off Dad Water: https://drinkdadwater.com/discount/SZD

* Nokian Tyres: https://www.nokiantyres.com/szd

* Modelo: Drink responsibly. Beer imported by Crown Imports, Chicago, IL