Indiana football is ranked No. 5 in The Associated Press’ top 25 poll released Sunday. Three Big Ten squads sit in front of the Hoosiers: No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State.
Sunday marks the first time since 1967 that Indiana ranked inside the AP Poll top five. Now that the College Football Playoff rankings are released each Tuesday until the end of the season, the AP Poll bears historical significance. The CFP selection committee decides the 12 teams that will make the playoffs.
The Hoosiers were previously ranked No. 8 last week, climbing three spots after the University of Georgia and the University of Miami fell Nov. 9.
Indiana escaped with a 20-15 victory over Michigan on Nov. 9. The Hoosiers jumped out to a 17-3 lead at halftime, but the Wolverines pulled to within 2 in the fourth quarter as Indiana gained just seven yards in the third quarter.
In the end, the Cream and Crimson got a defensive stop on a Michigan fourth down. The Hoosiers ran the ball twice before sixth-year senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke took a pair of kneel downs to end the game. With the victory, Indiana improved to 10-0 and notched its first double-digit win season in program history.
The Hoosiers are now on their second bye week of the season ahead of their Nov. 23 matchup with No. 2 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Kickoff time and network designation have yet to be announced.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
