Indiana’s rise in the US LBM Coaches Poll kept rolling this week, and the Hoosiers now sit atop the Big Ten after moving past Ohio State.
The No. 4 Hoosiers handled Howard 55-0, and the teams even agreed to shorten the fourth quarter. That win gave Indiana its seventh victory by 50 points or more since 2024, the most by any FBS team in that span.
The bigger shakeup came behind them. Ohio State tumbled after a 24-23 loss to Texas on Saturday, a game the Buckeyes led 23-3 in the fourth quarter. ESPN noted that No. 1 teams had been 197-0 when holding a 20-point lead at any point in the fourth quarter since 2004.
That result pushed Texas to No. 1 in the poll, while Indiana climbed into No. 4 and picked up the third-most first-place votes with 10. Texas, which sits at 2-0, earned 42 first-place votes.
Georgia is No. 2, Notre Dame No. 3, and Miami moved up to No.
Indiana is 2-0 and continues to gain ground in the weekly coaches ranking, which is voted on by a panel of FBS head coaches. Each coach submits a Top 25, with first place worth 25 points and the points descending one by one to 25th.
The rest of the top 10 includes Ohio State at No. 6, followed by LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Alabama.
Here’s how the full poll shook out: Texas, Georgia, Notre Dame, Indiana, Miami, Ohio State, LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Alabama, USC, Texas Tech, BYU, Tennessee, Penn State, SMU, Utah, Oregon, Michigan, Iowa, Oklahoma, Missouri, Houston, Washington and Virginia.
Florida dropped out after holding No. 25 last week.
In Other News...
Notre Dame May Have Seized Early Control In A Huge Recruiting Fight
Notre Dames 52-0 rout of Rice did more than pad a season opener, it also gave the Irish another chance to make a strong impression on one of their top long-term targets. Wyatt VanBoening, a four-star offensive tackle in the 2028 class, was among the visitors taking in the atmosphere, and the performance only reinforced what the program wanted recruits to see: a team that can dominate on the field while making campus feel like a place worth returning to.
VanBoening has been around Notre Dame several times already, and that familiarity matters in a recruiting battle that includes offers from several major programs. The Irish appear to have given themselves an early edge, but with so much time still left in his recruitment, the real question is whether those repeated visits and the latest trip can eventually turn into something more permanent. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Defense Faces A Bigger Week 3 Concern Than Expected
The injury picture on Notre Dames roster got a little clearer this week, and not in a way that eases much concern for the defense. Safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive lineman Jason Onye will remain out for the matchup with Michigan State after being hurt in Week 1, leaving the Irish to keep adjusting on the back end and up front as they prepare for another early-season test.
Head coach Marcus Freeman said both defenders are expected back later in the season, which helps explain why there is no panic yet. Even so, their continued absence makes this a deeper Week 3 issue than it first appeared, especially with the defense trying to hold up while other pieces remain unavailable and the staff waits to see when the full group can finally be back together. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame Freshman Just Made The Irish Backfield More Interesting
A freshman running back already finding his way into Notre Dames rotation is the kind of development that can quietly change the feel of an offense, and Jonaz Walton did exactly that in the home opener against Rice. Walton led the Irish in rushing yards with 48 on eight carries, giving the staff a glimpse of what his speed can add as the season moves forward.
Marcus Freeman singled out Waltons growth at the college level, and the broader takeaway from the opener was just as important for Notre Dames depth chart. Young contributors such as offensive lineman Cam Herron and wide receivers Jerome Bettis Jr. and Elijah Burress also got involved, and their early usage suggests the Irish may keep leaning on this next wave of talent sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]