Latest CFP rankings predictions: Weighing the difference between a 'good' loss and a 'bad' loss for Indiana football
Indiana football got to watch everybody else play while it prepares for Ohio State. Meanwhile, the four teams above the Hoosiers in last week's College Football Playoff rankings − Oregon, Ohio State, Texas and Penn State − all picked up victories.
The Hoosiers are off to the first 10-0 start in program history, ranked No. 5 in Sunday's national coaches' poll, up one place from last week, and are tied with No. 1 Oregon atop the Big Ten standings.
IU was ranked No. 5 and seeded No. 7 in last week's CFP rankings, and it should at least remain steady on Tuesday night's update. BYU suffered its first loss late Saturday night, falling into a tie with Colorado in the Big 12 standings. Also, Georgia beat Tennessee, creating a glut of five 2-loss SEC teams behind Texas (Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Alabama, Ole Miss).
The CFP rankings will be updated each week until the 12 playoff teams are determined in early December.
Coach Curt Cignetti's team visits Ohio State on Saturday. The Hoosiers' regular season ends when they host Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket game on Nov. 30.
Nos. 5-8 in the final CFP rankings host the Nos. 9-12 teams on campus the weekend before Christmas.
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Indiana football CFP rankings projection
Heather Dinich, ESPN: 5th
"How teams win − and lose − matters inside the committee meeting room, so if the Hoosiers lose a close game at Ohio State, their most recent ranking indicates they should have some wiggle room. If Indiana wins, don't be surprised to see the Hoosiers take the Buckeyes' No. 2 spot."
Andy Staples, On3: 11th (predicting end of season ranking)
"If Indiana plays a very close game at Ohio State, it will wind up seeded higher than this. If the Hoosiers lose by three touchdowns, they may not make the CFP at all. Texas A&M would be in this spot after losing the SEC title game to Alabama. Of course, if Indiana makes it and Texas A&M doesn’t in this situation, then SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will be on the warpath. The way to avoid any debate for Indiana? Beat Ohio State and go into the CFP as a much higher seed."
Jerry Palm, CBS Sports: 9th (end of season projection)
"Coming up this week, we finally see Indiana get the test we have all been waiting for. It has taken 12 weeks, but the Hoosiers will finally face a team that is already bowl eligible when they travel to Ohio State. Indiana's only chance to miss the playoff would be to get run out of the Horseshoe -- which seems unlikely. Of course, the Hoosiers could put themselves in the Big Ten championship game with a win and the expected slaughter of rival Purdue the following week."
Austin Mock, The Athletic: 6th
"Indiana has an 89% chance of making the playoffs and a 21% chance of hosting a first-round game."
Ari Wasserman, On3: Last four in
"If Indiana goes to Ohio State and loses a respectable game next week, the Hoosiers should probably still feel pretty good about their odds of getting into the CFP. That said, Indiana going to have to sweat. It’s going to find itself in head-to-head discussions with SEC teams like Tennessee, who would have one more loss but an Alabama win on their resume. That’s going to be intense."
College Football Playoff rankings release date
The weekly College Football Playoff updates will be released Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.
What time is CFP rankings?
7 p.m. ET Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024.
How to watch College Football Playoff rankings show
ESPN.
How many teams in College Football Playoff 2024?
For the first time, 12 teams will make the CFP field.
How does College Football Playoff format work?
The eight teams seeded Nos. 5-12 will play in a first round with the better seed hosting the lower seeds either on campus or at other sites designated by the higher-seeded institution (No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.). Games are on Dec. 20 and 21.
The top four conference champions to earn spots in quarterfinals hosted by bowls. This will be done in consideration of historic bowl relationships, then in consideration of rankings. No. 1 play the 8/9 winner, No. 4 vs. the 5/12 winner, No. 2 vs. the 7/10 winner; No. 3 vs. the 6/11 winner. Games are on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. The quarterfinal games are the Fiesta Bowl, Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Semifinals will be played on Jan. 9 (Orange Bowl) and Jan. 10 (Cotton Bowl). The national championship game is Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.