ESPN analyst clowned for his odd advice to Indiana for Ohio State game
Sep 6, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9)throws the ball before the game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Former NFL wide receiver Joey Galloway did not exactly boost his reputation with his latest take on the looming Indiana-Ohio State game.
On Saturday, Ohio State will host Indiana in a battle between two top-five teams at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Galloway on Tuesday appeared on ESPN’s College Football Playoff rankings show and gave a scorching-hot take on what he believes is Indiana’s best course of action. According to Galloway, Indiana should consider benching quarterback Kurtis Rourke against Ohio State to keep him from getting injured.
“If I’m Indiana, I don’t know if I’m playing [Kurtis] Rourke against Ohio State,” said Galloway. “We’ve seen what happened with Florida State last year, Jordan Travis. What could keep Indiana out of this? Getting their quarterback hurt.”
Joey Galloway suggests that Indiana should bench Kurtis Rourke on Saturday vs Ohio State pic.twitter.com/iHiE241k9S
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) November 20, 2024
Fans on social media were understandably upset with Galloway’s suggestion of spoiling one of the biggest games of the year.
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 suggesting that Indiana should rest QB Kurtis Rourke against Ohio State, because the risk of getting left out for having an injured QB is greater than the risk of getting left out for losing. 🤷
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) November 20, 2024
Joey Galloway should be publicly shamed.
— indiana vs the media (@hoosiercommish) November 20, 2024
Joey Galloway may be the biggest idiot at ESPN and it’s not even close.
— Brandon Reef (@BrandonReef) November 20, 2024
It’s worth noting that Galloway is an Ohio State alumnus. Some felt that he was simply speaking for the Buckeye’s best interest, whether intentionally or not.
Did Joey Galloway really just say #iufb shouldn't play Kurtis Rourke against Ohio State for fear of getting him hurt? No OSU bias there at all. Sheesh. #CFP
— Matt Glenesk (@MattGlenesk) November 20, 2024
Galloway argued that Indiana should consider the move to avoid being the next Florida State. Last season, the undefeated Seminoles were infamously left out of the College Football Playoff after their star QB Jordan Travis suffered a season-ending injury.
But Galloway’s take is a lot more puzzling when you consider that the CFP expanded to 12 teams this year. Florida State would have definitely made it under similar circumstances.
One could make the opposite argument that cowardly sitting your healthy QB for a huge game would make a team even more undeserving of a spot in the playoff.