Skull Session: Indiana is Not Mad at Big Ten's Decision, Lincoln Riley Would Play Ohio State on Short Notice, and Jae'Sean Tate Turns Heads in the NBA

I must say, I was having some trouble drumming up some reasons to dislike Northwestern, but then one jumped out of my Twitter timeline and bit me in the ass.

Ready for the challenge, Justin Fields! https://t.co/fTy1U6tryl
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 10, 2020

It's not even game week yet and I'm already setting the odds of an online altercation with Darren Rovell at -200.

Also, Alabama is sitting at No. 1 on this list the same season they gave up 365 yards to *checks notes* Matt Coral. Fascinating!

Word of the Day: Schlemiel.

NOT EVEN MAD. I've seen a lot of terrible takes on Twitter the past few days about the Big Ten's decision to ax the six-game minimum, but ironically, none of them have come from the only team that's actually affected.

Indiana, by all accounts, completely understands why the rule was changed and sees that they had an opportunity to earn it on the field and didn't.

But Dolson says, as he did in yesterday's statement, that IU lost to OSU.

"We don't want moral victories, we came up short. It didn't go our way in the meeting, but at the same time it isn't going to bring us down, it's not going to deter what we're doing." #iufb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 11, 2020

Dolson, again, on understanding the reason the rule change was implemented for OSU:

"I'm not trying to wear a Big Ten hat over an IU hat, but I understood it and we had to move on." #iufb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 11, 2020

Tom Allen on OSU getting to the Big Ten title game, rather than IU. Says he thinks about a lesson his dad taught him:

"You shut your mouth and you let your play do the talking. We have to let our play do the talking." #iufb
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) December 11, 2020

Even in Indiana's official statement, they said: “We had our chance to earn our spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, but ultimately fell a touchdown short on the road against a great Ohio State team.”

That is the only correct response, and I sincerely applaud Indiana for having it.

LET'S DO IT. Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher has made it clear that he wants no part of playing Ohio State on short notice, but I'm happy to report that Oklahoma's Lincoln Riley isn't a coward and enjoys fun.

Lincoln Riley asked what he would do if Ohio State's Ryan Day called him to play a game this weekend. "We would play." - Riley.
— SoonerScoop.com (@SoonerScoop) December 10, 2020

Even if he would doesn't actually mean it – because he knows damn well it's not going to happen either way – I applaud him for not openly admitting that he is a gutless invertebrate like Jimbo.

But since this game isn't actually going to be played, how about we just take this fight to the recruiting trail. Whoever five-star receiver Emeka Egbuka picks today, wins. Cool? Cool.

TATE IS GREAT. To absolutely nobody's surprise, Jae'Sean Tate is already turning the heads of some folks down in Houston.

Former @SydneyKings import Jae'Sean Tate (@o_tate_) is already turning heads at the @HoustonRockets training camp #NBLxNBA

via @SalmanAliNBA pic.twitter.com/1lXtcAI5Wu
— The NBL (@NBL) December 8, 2020

I always said he'd be an NBA player if he could ever develop a consistent jump shot because he's just too damn good and hard working in every aspect of the game.

Then he went ahead and shot 37 percent from three-point range in Australia during the regular season, and 45 percent in the playoffs.

He's ready.

BIG WIN. With football on hiatus for this week, it's a convenient time to remind you that the BasketBucks are fun as hell to watch this year.

#Team122 vs Notre Dame: Directors Cut pic.twitter.com/hdfLwTQDSg
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) December 11, 2020

They've got games against Cleveland State and Purdue on Sunday and Wednesday, but they've got a big one against North Carolina next Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

So, next week, you can celebrate Ohio State's Big Ten football title by watching the Buckeyes dump the Tar Heels on the hardwood. Call it an early Christmas present.

SONG OF THE DAY. "I Won't Be Home For Christmas" by blink-182.