IU football lands in top-10 of initial College Football Playoff Rankings

IU football continues to make history and that was even more clear on Tuesday night when the College Football Playoff Rankings were released for the first time during the 2024 season. The Hoosiers were ranked No. 8 when the rankings were revealed.

Indiana’s ranking is quite similar to the other rankings this season — currently No. 8 in the AP Poll and No. 10 in the Coaches Poll. Moving forward, however, the CFP Ranking is the one that will determine IU’s season.

“I’m aware of it,” Cignetti said on Monday ahead of the CFP Rankings reveal. “But to get kind of caught up on that and lose your focus would be the kiss of death.”

Even though Indiana is ranked No. 8, they are seeded 9th and would not be a host for the first round. It is projected to play Tennessee. Seeds 1-4, which are the highest-rated conference champions, receive a first-round bye and then seeds 5-8 receive a home-game in the first round.

“Their strength of schedule is not as strong as BYU’s (seeded 8th),” Selection Committee Chair Warde Manuel said. “But what Indiana has done on the field … they’re winning those games averaging 33 points per game more than their opponents.”

The playoff field is determined by the five highest-ranked conference champions — the power four leagues and the highest group of five champion. They each receive an automatic bid. The Group of Five champion will be seeded at No. 12, if it is not among the top 12 teams in the final poll.

Indiana is off to a 9-0 start, the best start in program history. One more win and IU will set a program-record for wins in a season, being the first time ever reaching double digits. Indiana had just nine wins in the last three years combined.

The Hoosiers have won every game by double-digits this year.

Indiana’s 55 offensive touchdowns on the season are its most since 2013, while the 31 rushing touchdowns are the most since 2001. 

IU football has three games remaining — a home game against Michigan, at Ohio State and then at home vs Purdue to close the season.

“My job,” Curt Cignetti said following IU’s win on Saturday. “Is to make them the best they can be … The whole team’s got a little edge, they’re relentless. So they continue to play very consistently, never perfect, and they’re never satisfied, never satisfied.”

Below is the full schedule of the rankings, and when they are released every week.

• Tuesday, Nov. 5: 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, Nov. 12: 8:30 pm
• Tuesday, Nov. 19: 7:00 pm
• Tuesday, Nov. 26: 8:00 pm
• Tuesday, Dec. 3: 7:00 pm
• Sunday, Dec. 8: Noon

SEE ALSO: 3 Storylines to watch for when IU football hosts Michigan

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.

Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.