‘Real and spectacular’: Indiana football has favorable chances of making College Football Playoff

Indiana football (7-0) is ranked No. 13 nationally by both the coaches and the media.

How many teams make the College Football Playoff? 12.

The Hoosiers are rolling after their nationally televised blowout win over Nebraska, and the hype is growing. ESPN’s “College GameDay” is coming to Bloomington next weekend, when IU hosts Washington.

This game will bring a challenge the Hoosiers haven’t faced: Quarterback Kurtis Rourke is out with a thumb injury, putting Tayven Jackson in the spotlight on IU’s biggest stage since … who knows when.

Plenty of national observers remain bullish on the Hoosiers.

We’ve got options: Who should be guest picker on ‘College GameDay’?

Will Indiana football make the College Football Playoff?

Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic

The Hoosiers are real, and they are spectacular. Coach Curt Cignetti’s crew overwhelmed Nebraska 56-7 to improve to 7-0 and have to be taken seriously in the Big Ten race as a team with double-digit win potential.

The Hoosiers’ fast start has been built on weak competition. Nebraska was viewed as something of a step up. Maybe not that big of a step up, but still. The Huskers came in with the sixth-best defense in the country, allowing 4.37 yards per play.

The Athletic’s Austin Mock’s projections place the Hoosiers 10th, with a 61% chance of making the field.

ESPN: Kyle Bonagura projects IU 8th; Mark Schlabach projects IU 10th

Bonagura: “The biggest mover this week was Indiana, which left no doubt in a 56-7 win against Nebraska. The Hoosiers still haven’t beaten a ranked opponent, but they’ve won decisively each week. The only ranked team left on their schedule is Ohio State, so while it’s still too early to feel overly confident about Indiana’s postseason chances, it feels as if we’ve reached more-likely-than-not territory. “

R.J. Young, Fox Sports: 12th

The Hoosiers are one of just three undefeated teams left in the Big Ten, and they look like a legitimate threat to play in the Big Ten championship. Indiana has not trailed an opponent in any game it has played this season.

Blake Toppmeyer, USA TODAY

“Indiana’s schedule could backfire if the bubble overcrowds. The Hoosiers didn’t play a Power Four nonconference opponent. Games against Western Illinois, Charlotte and Florida International anchor their strength of schedule. Nonetheless, when evaluating sleeper teams for the playoff, Indiana’s offensive and defense balance and litany of blowout victories make the Hoosiers a real contender.”

Toppmeyer has more on the Hoosiers:

“The schedule breaks nicely. The Hoosiers won’t play the Big Ten’s other undefeated teams, Oregon and Penn State, during the regular season. Just one ranked opponent, Ohio State, lurks on Indiana’s schedule. The Hoosiers represents the Big Ten’s best chance at a fourth playoff qualifier, and an 11-1 record might entice the CFP committee, as long as Indiana doesn’t get demolished by the Buckeyes.

“The Hoosiers aren’t just winning. They’re blowing out their competition. So, true, this win against No. 25 Nebraska registers as their best win, but the selection committee shouldn’t ignore an average margin of victory of 35 points.

“No obvious weakness cripples Indiana, and veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke registers as a trump card.”

When does Indiana play Washington?

Noon ET Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.

What channel is IU football on vs. Washington?

TV: Big Ten Network

Radio: Indiana Sports Radio Network (105.1 FM in Bloomington, 93.1 FM in Indianapolis)

Watch Indiana football on Fubo (free trial)

Indiana football tickets

Tickets start at $152 on SeatGeek

Indiana football schedule 2024

• Aug. 31: FIU (W, 31-7)

• Sept. 6: Western Illinois (W, 77-3)

• Sept. 14: at UCLA (W, 42-13)

• Sept. 21: Charlotte (W, 52-14)

• Sept. 28: Maryland (W, 42-28)

• Oct. 5: at Northwestern (W, 41-24)

• Oct. 19: Nebraska (W, 56-7)

• Oct. 26: Washington, noon ET, BTN

• Nov. 2: at Michigan State

• Nov. 9: Michigan

• Nov. 23: at Ohio State

• Nov. 30: Purdue

• Record: 7-0

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football chances of making College Football Playoff