Indiana: No. 20 football state

The Colts moved to Indiana in 1984 and posted inconsistent performances. After going 3-13 in 1997, they drafted quarterback Peyton Manning. The team's high-octane offense raised hopes of a first Super Bowl for the franchise in Indiana. Another great quarterback from Indiana, Bob Griese (born in Evansville, played at Purdue), threw for 25,092 yards, 192 TDs and two Super Bowl wins with the Dolphins. Paul Hornung is among the many NFL Hall of Famers who moved from Notre Dame to the NFL.
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Shaun Pechin: I believe that Indiana should move up to at least top 15. Even though it is traditionally thought of as a basketball hotbed, football has taken the state by storm. Read more from Shaun
When the Irish are playing well, their gold helmets shining, there are smiles across the country. The coaching rolls at Notre Dame, which has won 11 national titles, include Knute Rockne and Lou Holtz. The players include wide receiver Tim Brown, one of seven Heisman winners, and tailback George Gipp. Indiana is the alma mater of quarterback-turned-receiver Antwaan Randle El. Pass-happy Purdue has turned out quarterbacks such as Drew Brees, and went to the Rose Bowl in 1967 and 2001.
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The Hoosier State would battle for No. 1 if this were a basketball ranking. The Indianapolis area has some good football, led by national power Warren Central. Spring 2006 DI signees: 29. Fall 2006 high school football teams: 314.
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Hashing out the best football state

States' overall football rank
1. Texas | Conversation
2. California | Conversation
3. Florida | Conversation
4. Pennsylvania | Conversation
5. Ohio | Conversation
6. Georgia | Conversation
7. Michigan | Conversation
8. Louisiana | Conversation
9. New Jersey | Conversation
10. Wisconsin | Conversation
11. Illinois | Conversation
12. Alabama | Conversation
13. Virginia | Conversation
14. North Carolina | Conversation
15. Missouri | Conversation
16. New York | Conversation
17. Maryland | Conversation
18. Tennessee | Conversation
19. Oklahoma | Conversation
20. Indiana | Conversation
21. Nebraska | Conversation
22. Colorado | Conversation
23. Washington | Conversation
24. Minnesota | Conversation
25. Mississippi | Conversation
26. Iowa | Conversation
27. Massachusetts | Conversation
28. Arizona | Conversation
29. Arkansas | Conversation
30. District of Columbia | Conversation
31. West Virginia | Conversation
32. South Carolina | Conversation
33. Oregon | Conversation
34. Nevada | Conversation
35.Hawaii | Conversation
36. Kentucky | Conversation
37. Utah | Conversation
38. Kansas | Conversation
39. Connecticut | Conversation
40. Idaho | Conversation
41. New Mexico | Conversation
42. New Hampshire | Conversation
43. Rhode Island | Conversation
44. Wyoming | Conversation
45. Delaware | Conversation
46. North Dakota | Conversation
47. South Dakota | Conversation
48. Maine | Conversation
49. Montana | Conversation
50. Vermont | Conversation
51. Alaska | Conversation

