The Indiana Hoosiers experienced a challenging setback on Saturday, suffering a 38-15 defeat against the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This game fueled ongoing speculation about Indiana’s status as a contender in the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff scene.
Under Coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana sought to prove itself with a strong performance, but they struggled on both sides of the ball, totaling just 151 yards of offense—the lowest total Ohio State has allowed against a ranked opponent in nearly two decades. While they did manage 75 of those yards during a late-game touchdown drive, it wasn’t enough to shift the narrative.
Despite this loss, the season’s achievements are still noteworthy for Indiana. Entering the matchup, they held the No. 6 strength of record according to ESPN’s Football Power Index, presenting a convincing case for playoff candidacy. The Hoosiers had been dominant thus far, winning their first ten games by an average margin of 30.1 points, though they had yet to secure a victory over a ranked team.
Looking ahead, Indiana’s path to the College Football Playoff may still lie in achieving an 11-1 record. They now have the opportunity to clinch that mark by defeating their in-state rival, Purdue, who has struggled this season with a 1-10 record. Although a win over Purdue may not heavily influence the committee’s decision, it would cross a significant threshold of wins for Indiana.
To enhance their playoff hopes, Indiana must also monitor the competition, particularly among two-loss teams in the SEC, where four teams currently rank in the top ten. With recent losses by Ole Miss and Tennessee, each dropping games to teams with lesser records, Indiana could position itself favorably if other programs stumble as well.
As the College Football Playoff Rankings are updated, Indiana’s prospects will be closely examined, and they will need to maintain a vigilant eye on rival teams within the ACC as well. There’s a real sense of hope for the Hoosiers; a solid performance in the remaining games, coupled with a few fortunate breaks elsewhere in college football, could pave their way to the postseason.
In summary, while Saturday’s loss was disheartening, Indiana still has the potential to achieve significant success this season as they aim for an 11-1 finish and the possibility of a College Football Playoff berth.