Indiana football sits at No. 2 in the first College Football Playoff selection committee rankings, revealed Tuesday on ESPN. The Hoosiers, who are 9-0 for the second consecutive season, have positioned themselves as one of the nation’s top teams. This is their highest-ever ranking in CFP history.
With an unblemished start to the year, Curt Cignetti is positioned to lead Indiana to its second straight CFP berth. Indiana started the season ranked No. 20 in the preseason AP top 25. A historic 63-10 win over then-No. 9 Illinois put the Hoosiers back on the national radar.
They further bolstered their resume with a gritty 20-15 win over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, capped off with a game-winning touchdown pass from quarterback Fernando Mendoza to wide receiver Elijah Sarratt. The Hoosiers went into their first bye week at No. 8 in the AP poll, set for a marquee road matchup against No. 3 Oregon at Autzen Stadium.
Dan Lanning’s team had not lost at home since 2022, and the Ducks were regarded as one of the nation’s best teams. Indiana beat Oregon, 30-20, and established itself as one of college football’s elite teams.
Standing as one of four undefeated teams left in the FBS (No. 1 Ohio State, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 7 BYU), Indiana looks to keep its strong momentum and finish the regular season by playing to Cignetti’s high standards. If it does so, it will cement itself as a top seed in this year’s Playoff and have a chance at a national championship. The Hoosiers visit Penn State on Saturday, host Wisconsin on Nov. 15 and close the regular season at Purdue on Nov. 28.
