Indiana kept climbing in the national polls Sunday, a direct result of another smooth win at Memorial Stadium.
After crushing Howard 55-0 on Saturday, the Hoosiers moved up one spot in both the AP poll and the US LBM coaches poll. Indiana is now No. 4 in each ranking.
The rise comes after a Week 2 performance that left little doubt against the FCS Bison. Indiana handled Howard with ease in Bloomington, adding another lopsided result to a season that has started without a blemish.
The Hoosiers opened the 2026 campaign at No. 6 in both polls after finishing as the undefeated CFP national champion with a 16-0 record in the 2025 season. Curt Cignetti is also on the US LBM Board of Coaches for the 2026 season.
Elsewhere in the Big Ten, the top of the rankings got shaken up in a big way. Ohio State, which entered the week at No. 1, dropped after blowing a 20-point lead and losing to Texas on Saturday night. The Buckeyes are now No. 6 in both the AP poll and the coaches poll.
Oregon also took a hit after a surprising 39-31 loss at unranked Oklahoma State. The Ducks sit at No. 21 in the AP poll and No. 18 in the coaches poll.
Michigan posted the conference’s most notable win of the weekend, beating Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. That result pushed the Wolverines to No. 19 in both polls.
Indiana returns to the field Saturday afternoon against Western Kentucky in Bloomington. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. ET on Peacock.
In Other News...
Indiana Suddenly Has A Real Opening In The Big Ten Race
Week 2 in the Big Ten brought a little more clarity and a lot more chaos, and Indiana had to like what it saw from the rest of the league. Ohio States collapse after building a strong start against Texas, Oregons second straight stumble after its earlier loss, and Michigans defense holding up against Oklahoma all fed into a race that suddenly feels less tidy than it did a week ago. USC also kept building momentum behind quarterback Jayden Maiava, another reminder that the leagues top tier may be deeper and less predictable than expected.
For Indiana, the value in that disorder is obvious. The Hoosiers do not need the Big Ten to get easy, but they do need the field above them to keep taking turns giving ground, and that is exactly what the opening stretch delivered. With the conference already showing signs of volatility and some of its biggest names still sorting out who they are, Indiana can see a path to mattering in a race that looked more crowded than competitive just days ago. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana's Defensive Rotation Just Put A New Spotlight On Its Depth
Indiana leaned heavily on its defensive depth in the 55-0 win over Howard, and the snap counts told the story just as much as the scoreboard did. The Hoosiers spread the workload across a long list of contributors, with Mario Landino and Chiddi Obiazor standing out among the pressure players and Rolijah Hardy turning in the kind of splash play that can change the feel of a game in a hurry.
What makes the rotation worth watching now is how many different pieces were involved, including freshmen and players still chasing more eligibility. Early in the season, that kind of distribution can be a luxury if everyone stays productive, but it can also become a real evaluation tool as Indiana learns who can hold up once the competition tightens and the game plans get more demanding. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Waits On Court Fight That Could Cost Two Key Veterans
Indiana football is still waiting on the legal wrangling that could shape the rest of its season, with the eligibility case involving veterans Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt ending in court Wednesday without a ruling. The two players are challenging the NCAA over its five-for-five eligibility rule, and the absence of a decision leaves the Hoosiers in a holding pattern as the week moves toward Saturdays game.
The temporary restraining order that had allowed Daley and Wyatt to keep playing has now expired, which means they are ineligible unless the judge acts before the weekend. Attorneys have until Thursday to submit final documentation, but for now Indiana is left watching the calendar as much as the depth chart, hoping the legal process catches up in time to avoid losing two experienced pieces. [Read more 🡒]