Indiana’s stay near the top of the College Football Playoff rankings didn’t last long.
After opening at No. 4 in last week’s first top-25, the Hoosiers tumbled all the way to No. 9 in the latest poll. They didn’t even take the field in between, sitting on a bye while the rankings around them shifted.
The drop also came with a dent to Indiana’s title outlook. The Hoosiers are now listed at +1000, the sixth-best odds, to win the national championship, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
A big part of the slide came from the way Indiana’s résumé looks now. Ohio State, the Hoosiers’ only loss, fell from No. 12 to No. 20 after getting blown out 41-28 at home by unranked Oregon.
That came on the heels of a 30-18 loss to USC, which had already pushed the Buckeyes down to No. 12.
Indiana’s wins didn’t get much help either. None of the Hoosiers’ eight victories came against ranked opponents, and several of the more notable ones took a hit on Saturday when teams like Northwestern, Nebraska, Michigan and Minnesota all lost.
Even with that, the fall feels severe. Indiana dropped five spots despite being unbeaten since its lone loss, and it now sits behind three teams with two losses. UCLA, which had been ranked behind the Hoosiers a week ago, jumped to No. 4 even with similar résumé concerns and nine wins.
The Hoosiers still have a path to reshape things. They host newly ranked No. 18 USC this week, then go on the road to Washington before coming home for the Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue.
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 🡒]