Indiana football slipped to No. 9 in the second College Football Playoff rankings, a drop from No. 4 in the initial release last week.
The updated top 25 came out Tuesday night after IU’s bye week, and the Hoosiers now sit behind Georgia, Utah, Alabama, UCLA, Notre Dame, Texas, Miami (FL) and Tennessee. BYU is right behind Indiana at No. 10.
Here’s the full top 25 from this week: Georgia, Utah, Alabama, UCLA, Notre Dame, Texas, Miami (FL), Tennessee, Indiana, BYU, Kentucky, Texas Tech, Wake Forest, Houston, Iowa, Oregon, South Carolina, USC, Ole Miss, Ohio State, LSU, Missouri, Arizona, Boise State and Oklahoma State.
The committee will finalize the 12-team playoff field on Sunday, Dec. 6, after conference championship weekend. This is the last year of the 12-team format before the field expands to 24 teams in 2027, and it’s also the final season for the Big Ten championship game, which will be played Saturday, Dec. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
These rankings are the committee’s first real snapshot of the season through 10 weeks, and the format remains the same: the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams will make up the 12-team bracket. If Notre Dame lands in the final top 12, it gets an automatic bid. The top four teams will earn first-round byes, while the No. 5 through No. 12 seeds will be paired off in four first-round games hosted by the higher seed.
Indiana’s place in the playoff picture still reflects a strong season. The Hoosiers are 8-1 overall and 5-1 in conference play, with home wins over Northwestern and Minnesota and road victories at Michigan, Rutgers and Nebraska. Their lone loss came against Ohio State at Memorial Stadium in Week 7.
IU’s next chance to make another statement comes in Week 11 against USC at Memorial Stadium. CBS will televise the game beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Indiana’s recent playoff history includes a 2024 appearance as the No. 10 seed, when the Hoosiers traveled to No. 7 Notre Dame and lost 27-17 to the Fighting Irish, who went on to finish as the national runner-up to Ohio State. In 2025, IU earned the No. 1 seed and rolled through Alabama in the Rose Bowl, Oregon in the Peach Bowl and Miami (FL) in the CFP national championship game to finish 16-0.
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 🡒]