Indiana’s spot in the College Football Playoff rankings looks shaky heading into tonight’s reveal, and the timing could not be worse for the Hoosiers.
Indiana opened at No. 4 in the first rankings last week, a position that gave the 8-1 team a real path to a bye. Since then, though, the Hoosiers have sat idle on a bye week while the rest of the picture around them shifted in a way that does them no favors.
The biggest issue is the loss column around them. Indiana’s only defeat came against Ohio State, which looked like a strong enough setback at the time to keep the Hoosiers in the top four.
But Ohio State has now dropped back-to-back games and sits at 6-3 after a 30-18 road loss to USC and a 41-28 home loss to Oregon. That kind of slide gives the committee plenty of reason to re-examine how much value to place on Indiana’s lone loss.
The Hoosiers’ wins took a hit too. Their best victories came against Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan and Minnesota, but all four of those teams lost on Saturday.
Northwestern fell 24-10 at home to Iowa, Nebraska lost 24-13 at Illinois, Michigan dropped to 5-4 after a 15-6 home loss to Michigan State, and Minnesota was beaten 34-20 at home by UCLA. Michigan State and UCLA didn’t even need overtime to beat the Wolverines and Golden Gophers, while Indiana needed extra time in both of those games.
That leaves Indiana with a resume that suddenly looks less sturdy than it did a week ago. The Hoosiers still have the record that got them into the top four in the first place, but the teams attached to that resume are no longer carrying the same weight.
Indiana should still be in the field when the new rankings come out tonight, but a drop from No. 4 feels likely.
The encouraging part for the Hoosiers is that the final rankings are the ones that matter. They still have three regular-season games left to strengthen their case, plus one more opportunity if they reach the final Big Ten Championship Game.
USC stands out as the best chance for Indiana to pick up a ranked win before the season ends. Washington and Purdue, meanwhile, are the kinds of games the Hoosiers cannot afford to let slip away.
In Other News...
Indiana Just Landed A Guard Hoosier Fans Will Want To Watch
Indiana added another notable name to its future backcourt with the signing of four-star guard Chase Branham from the class of 2027, a move that gives Hoosier fans an early reason to keep an eye on La Lumiere School. At 6-foot-4, Branham brings size for the position, and his arrival only adds to the sense that Indiana is trying to build its next wave with players who can fit the programs long-term plans.
Branham also arrives with some historical context attached, since he is now the 10th-highest ranked recruit Indiana has landed in the 247Sports era. In the schools official release, coach Darian DeVries highlighted both Branhams ability and his character, which is usually the kind of combination a staff hopes will translate well once the real work begins and the recruiting buzz gives way to what he can actually do in Bloomington. [Read more 🡒]
Lincoln Riley Just Sent Indiana A Message Before Bloomington Showdown
Lincoln Riley had plenty of praise for Indiana as USC turns its attention toward a trip to Bloomington, and the message was clear enough: this is not a matchup the Trojans can treat casually. Asked about the Hoosiers, Riley pointed to an experienced defense and the kind of coaching continuity that can make a team harder to prepare for, while also showing respect for Curt Cignettis program.
For Indiana, the compliments matter because they come with a reminder of what usually decides games at this level: which team can bring the same standard from one week to the next. Riley said consistency is the challenge, and that is exactly the sort of test the Hoosiers want in a high-profile home game, where a strong defensive identity and steady coaching should give them a chance to make USC earn everything. [Read more 🡒]
Tobi Osunsanmi May Decide Whether Indiana Can Survive USCs Attack
USC brings one of the Big Tens most dangerous passing attacks into this matchup, and Indianas best answer may come from the front line. The Trojans have leaned on quarterback Jayden Maiava to drive the offense, while the Hoosiers have built their defensive identity around getting pressure and disrupting timing before a play can fully develop.
Tobi Osunsanmi is at the center of that challenge. Indiana has to find a way to make USC uncomfortable early and often, because if Maiava settles in, the Trojans can turn a game fast through the air. The Hoosiers have shown they can defend at a high level, but this one may hinge on whether Osunsanmi and the pass rush can force USC out of rhythm before the secondary has to hold up for long stretches. [Read more 🡒]