2023 Sideline Swami’s Week 15 State Championship Picks

THE SWAMI SCALE

1. SNIDER (12-1): Snider stays atop Mount Swami for the final week of 2023. Finish the job, men!
2. LEO (11-2): The Lions remain in the two-hole after posting one of their most successful seasons.
3. CARROLL (7-3): Chargy clings to this slot, though I damn-near dropped them after one-and-done.
4. BISHOP LUERS (11-3): The SAC co-champs won their area-most 17th semistate crown last week.
5. HOMESTEAD (5-5): Sparty will regroup in the offseason and come back in ‘24 with a vengeance.
6. EAST NOBLE (8-3): Graduation will take a few key guys, but the Knights will be solid again in ’24.
7. ADAMS CENTRAL (14-0): The Flying Jets are on a mission. A mission from Gawd. Let’s go, AC!
8. BISHOP DWENGER (6-6): The 2023 Saints had a toughie. Time to get back in the weight room.
9. BLUFFTON (10-3): B-town claimed a sectional title in back-to-back years for the first time ever.
10. WEST NOBLE (10-1): Monte’s men deserve this last spot on the Swami’s illustrious ladder of love.

CLASS 6A

CROWN POINT (13-0) vs. BEN DAVIS (12-1): BD figures to be a big favorite here, but don’t tell that to the Bulldogs from the region. That said, my money is on the Giants to put this game out of reach early in the fourth quarter. BD by two tuddies.

SWAMI SAYS: Ben Davis by 15

SWAMI SAYS: Over/Under: 59

CLASS 5A

SNIDER (12-1) vs. DECATUR CENTRAL (11-2): This feels like a coin-flip game to me, especially if DC gets off to a solid start. Still, I’ve got to go with the Panthers and their ballhawking defense. I’m a Black Attack man all of the way. Go get it, guys!

SWAMI SAYS: Snider by 3

SWAMI SAYS: Over/Under: 52

CLASS 4A

NORTHWOOD (12-2) vs. EAST CENTRAL (14-0): EC is a machine right now and should take care of the athletic Panthers. That said, NorthWood has Nitro and a capital “W” in the middle of its name. That’s some serious action. But EC is on a different level.

SWAMI SAYS: East Central by 24

SWAMI SAYS: Over/Under: 63

CLASS 3A 

INDY CHATARD (14-0) vs. HERITAGE HILLS (13-1): Chatard holds a commanding 7-1 series edge vs. HH, including a 34-3 beatdown in the 2019 state-title tilt. But that was pre-Viddy, and the Patriots are much improved. Not enough to beat Chatard.

SWAMI SAYS: Chatard by 21

SWAMI SAYS: Over/Under: 49

CLASS 2A 

BISHOP LUERS (11-3) vs. NORTH POSEY (13-1): If the Vikes have an edge, it might be in the trenches. The Knights, meanwhile, have more speed and have played a tougher schedule. Most experts are taking NP, but the Swami is going with The Lu.

SWAMI SAYS: Luers by 13

SWAMI SAYS: Over/Under: 44

CLASS 1A 

ADAMS CENTRAL (14-0) vs. INDY LUTHERAN (14-0): It’s not going to be easy, but I believe in these Jets. Fly high, men! Win the special-teams battle, force a turnover or two, and finish in the Red Zone. The final Upset Special of the 2023 season!

SWAMI SAYS: Adams Central by 1

SWAMI SAYS: Over/Under: 55

TURKEY LEFTOVERS 

IOWA (9-2) at NEBRASKA (5-6): SWAMI SAYS: Iowa by 3

OHIO STATE (11-0) at MICHIGAN (11-0): SWAMI SAYS: Michigan by 4

INDIANA (3-8) at PURDUE (3-8): SWAMI SAYS: Purdue by 6

NOTRE DAME (8-3) at STANFORD (3-8): SWAMI SAYS: Notre Dame by 24

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