Indiana remains No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings for the second consecutive week. What once was a breakthrough poll position for the Hoosiers is now becoming proof that Indiana is here to stay at the top of college football.
Coming off a 27-24 win over Penn State on Saturday, the Hoosiers continue to hold strong. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza extended his Heisman campaign with a game-winning drive in the final two minutes, putting Indiana ahead. The defining moment came when wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. made a game-winning catch and toe-tap in the back of the end zone.
Sophomore wide receiver Charlie Becker led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 118 yards, stepping in for an injured Elijah Sarratt. Head coach Curt Cignetti said in his Monday press conference that Sarratt remains day-to-day ahead of this week’s matchup with Wisconsin.
As the rankings stand, Indiana has defeated two current top-25 opponents — No. 8 Oregon and No. 21 Iowa, both on the road. The Hoosiers, now 10-0 for the second straight season, continue to show week after week that they belong among college football’s elite.
And it has taken Cignetti's mindset and preparations to get them there. Thinking of each week one game at a time and making sure that they are putting in the work. On Monday Cignetti noted that they can no longer sneak up on their opponents. They know to prepare hard and give the Hoosiers everything they can.
If the playoff were to start this weekend, Indiana would have a first-round bye and face the winner of No. 10 Texas and No.7 Ole Miss.
The Hoosiers have just two games remaining — this Saturday’s home finale against Wisconsin, followed by a rivalry matchup at Purdue for the 100th Old Oaken Bucket game after a bye week.
If Indiana can remain undefeated, the program could secure its first perfect regular season and secure a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and while returning to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.
What was once another breakthrough season has become the new standard in Bloomington.
