College football analyst Pete Fiutak examines three key storylines shaping the 2026 season: Iowa's push for a College Football Playoff berth, the strength of Indiana's schedule, and whether the Heisman Trophy race has already been decided.
Fiutak's latest "5 Thoughts" column breaks down the Hawkeyes' resume, evaluating their wins, losses, and remaining games to assess their playoff credentials. The piece also scrutinizes the Hoosiers' slate, questioning whether their record reflects true competitiveness or a favorable schedule.
Finally, the column addresses the Heisman race, analyzing the leading candidates and whether any player has separated themselves enough to make the award a foregone conclusion with weeks remaining in the regular season.



