Indiana football projected to make College Football Playoffs

I think it is safe to say, Indiana football is way ahead of schedule when it comes to the rebuild of the program. Through five games, the Hoosiers remain undefeated as well as two dominant conference wins over both UCLA and Maryland. For the first time in 57 years, Indiana football is 5-0 following Saturday’s 42-28 win over Maryland.

First year Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti officially has the college football world buzzing about the Hoosiers. With them being one of the few unbeaten and highest scoring offensive teams in the country, the expectations of what Indiana can do the rest of the season continues to grow and grow each and every week.

With the schedule that Indiana has, there is a path to make it to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship, which is something that absolutely no one thought was possible until recently. With the being a path to make it to Indianapolis that means their is path to go even further.

The College Football Playoffs.

With the CFP expanding to 12 teams starting this season, there is a greater chance that multiple teams from the same conference can make it. In the Big Ten, you have Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State as the teams that look to have the best chance to represent the Big Ten in the CFP.

However, ESPN Analysts Bill Connelly and Harry Lyles Jr. both have Indiana football slotted to be one the 12 teams in the College Football Playoffs. Connelly has the Hoosiers as a No. 11 seed while Lyles Jr. has them at No. 10.

Yes, Indiana football making it to the CFP is an incredible long shot, nobody is denying that. However, for Curt Cignetti, this talk is probably not a shock to him. Cignetti had a blueprint for Indiana football this season and that has resulted in the Hoosiers winning at a high level.

“We are what we are, and we have a blueprint and a plan and a philosophy how to play the game,” Cignetti said following the win. “It’s all about people and processes. I think we’ve got a chance to be a good football team.

“Winning is good because it deepens belief in confidence and success, which leads to confidence and belief, which leads to success,” Cignetti added. “You’ve still got to put the work in, but strengthens that confidence and belief.”

Indiana football will look to improve to 6-0 when they travel to Chicago to face the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday. If the Hoosiers win, they will become bowl eligible for just the 14th time in program history.

SEE ALSO: ‘Flush it’ — Despite immense first quarter struggles, Kurtis Rourke ‘responded like I kind of felt like he would’ and led Indiana football to another big win

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