For the first time since Dec. 20, 2020, Indiana football is ranked in the top 10 of The Associated Press’ poll. The Hoosiers checked in at No. 8 on Sunday.
Indiana is coming off a 47-10 drubbing of Michigan State on Nov. 2. The Cream and Crimson trailed 10-0 after the first quarter but responded with 47 unanswered points in the blowout victory. They outgained the Spartans 333 yards to 77 in the final three quarters en route to regaining the Old Brass Spittoon.
Before the Hoosiers’ 6-2 season in 2020, they were last ranked in the top 10 in 1969. In Indiana’s 125 previous seasons, it made the top 10 just 21 times and only six times since 1967.
Indiana football is historically recognized as a perennial losing program. In 2022, it became the first Division I school to lose 700 games.
But Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has done exactly what he set out to do when he was hired on Nov. 30, 2023. He’s changed how people view Indiana football one victory at a time.
Indiana announced Oct. 14 that the Hoosier faithful sold out Memorial Stadium for the matchup against the Wolverines. The stadium was also sold out for Indiana’s victories over Nebraska on Oct. 19 and Washington on Oct. 26. The Hoosiers’ regular season finale against Purdue on Nov. 30. is also sold out.
The College Football Playoff’s top 25 rankings are set to come out Tuesday. Going forward, its rankings are the accurate and important ones as Indiana vies to make the first 12-team College Football Playoff.
Now sitting at 9-0 for the first time in program history, the Hoosiers return home to host Michigan at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. CBS’ top commentary crew, comprised of Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell, will be on the call.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
