Indiana football's joyride couldn't last forever. The Hoosiers' 22-game winning streak went away in an oh-so-close defeat to Ohio State where the placement of one foot could have changed the outcome.
But IU remains in the thick of the College Football Playoff race after the one of the wildest weekends in the sport's history. Half the top 10 lost and the team that is now ranked first needed double overtime to remain unbeaten.
IU's remaining schedule includes one game against a currently ranked team: Nov. 14 vs. USC. Two teams remain unbeaten in Big Ten play: Ohio State — which still has USC, Oregon and Northwestern on the schedule — and UCLA, which plays USC to end the regular season.
The first standing release show is Nov. 3. Here's where the Hoosiers stand this week:
College Football Playoff rankings: Where Indiana football is projected after loss
Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report: 7th
"As for Indiana, it sits at 6-1 with only one Top 25 opponent, USC, left on its schedule.
"The reigning national champion should be in a good spot to land a playoff berth, but it will have to likely win out to land a spot in the top four."
Bill Bender, Sporting News: 5th
"The Hoosiers nearly pulled off the game-winning TD in the final minute against Ohio State, but receiver Nick Marsh was out of bounds in the end zone on a fourth-and-4 pass. That ended Indiana's 22-game win streak. A pair of second-half turnovers didn't help, and Josh Hoover (20 of 40, 296 yards, TD) did not have enough run support. Indiana travels to Michigan in Week 8."
David Hale, ESPN: 7th
"As talented as Indiana was in 2025, the key to its success was how relentlessly consistent the Hoosiers were at playing sound, fundamental football. They simply didn't make mistakes. This season, it has been a little different, and Saturday's loss to Ohio State was a glaring example. The fumbles, the bad flags, the missed throws, and Nick Marsh's wayward left foot … it all added up to the Hoosiers' first loss in 22 games. As Curt Cignetti said afterward, the win was there — Indiana just didn't take it. It has been a long time since that was true, but perhaps it was a hard lesson learned. Indiana went toe-to-toe, again, with arguably the best team in the country. It's a reminder of how good Indiana is, but how small the margin for error can be."
Scott Dochterman, The Athletic: 7th
ESPN: Two analysts put IU 8th
Indiana football schedule 2026
(all times ET)
- Sat., Sept. 5: IU 52, North Texas 16 (box score, stats)
- Sat, Sept. 12: IU 55, Howard 0 (box score, stats)
- Sat., Sept. 19: IU 38, Western Kentucky 0 (box score, stats)
- Fri., Sept. 25: IU 29, Northwestern 23 (box score, stats)
- Sat., Oct. 3: IU 47, Rutgers 15 (box score, stats)
- Sat., Oct. 10: IU 20, Nebraska 17 (box score, stats)
- Sat., Oct. 17: Ohio State 19, IU 15 (box score, stats)
- Sat., Oct. 24: at Michigan, TBA, TBA (preview)
- Sat., Oct. 31: vs. Minnesota, TBA, TBA (preview)
- Bye week
- Sat., Nov. 14: vs. USC, TBA, TBA (preview)
- Sat., Nov. 21: at Washington, TBA, TBA (preview)
- Sat., Nov. 28: vs. Purdue, TBA, TBA (preview)
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: A home playoff game? Where Indiana football stands in CFP projections after loss to Ohio State
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