Progrums

Bucking Buckeyes? Hoosiers Can’t Catch Top Spot

Indiana football held steady at No. 2 in both the AP Top 25 and US LBM Coaches polls after a dominant 55-10 blowout of Maryland. The Hoosiers garnered 11 first-place votes in the AP poll and one from coaches, matching last week’s AP haul and marking their first such vote in the coaches poll this season. Ohio State maintains its perch at No. 1 after a second-half surge to topple Penn State. With three consecutive weeks at No. 2—an unprecedented run for a program once labelled college football’s “all-time losingest”—Indiana’s path to the College Football Playoff depends on a favorable finish: three remaining Big Ten opponents are winless in conference play. Whoever emerges atop the standings, however, is likely to be Ohio State again in the Big Ten Championship. The full AP Top 25 slugfest sees Texas A&M at No. 3, Alabama at 4, Georgia at 5, Oregon at 6 and more, with Iowa just outside at 26th. Indiana eyes a noon kickoff at Penn State this Saturday.

In a stunning display of athletic proficiency—otherwise known as “Indiana football”—the Hoosiers sit pretty in the AP polls, basking in the glow of No. 2 like it’s a participation trophy for not being Ohio State. Sure, they crushed Maryland so badly their mascots are still on life support, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the coronation at No. 1. Rumor has it Ohio State’s secret weapon is an unholy alliance with the broadcasting booth, which apparently counts for at least five first-place votes. Meanwhile, Indiana’s perfect attendance at second place earns them bragging rights, spotlights, and possibly a commemorative coupon for Big Ten merch. Critics whisper “bubble team,” but those critics have apparently never seen a team one spot away from vacuuming the top. So strap in, Hoosiers fans—if your squad can dodge any upset monkey wrenches from Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue, we might just witness the greatest storyline since Cinderella—if Cinderella wore red and white, and Ohio State was the glass slipper.