Top 25 Program Dealt Major Injury Blow After Week 8

The college football season has given fans many surprises. Going into Week 8, there were a number of programs in the rankings that many weren't expecting to see.

These programs include Army, Navy, SMU, Illinois, and Indiana, among others.

Both the two service academies were in the top 25 ahead of Week 8, and the Big Ten has six teams ranked with Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Penn State, Oregon, and Ohio State all making the cut.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of them all is the Indiana Hoosiers, who have Curt Cignetti in his first year with the program after coming over from James Madison.

The Hoosiers remained undefeated after a 56-7 blowout win against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Week 8.

Unfortunately, Indiana got some crushing news about quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who will now miss Week 9 with an injury, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.

"Sources: Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke is not expected to play this week against Washington because of a thumb injury in the Nebraska game," Thamel wrote on X. "He will return this season, but the timetable isn’t clear yet."

Rourke is in his first year with the Hoosiers after transferring from Ohio and he has played incredibly well this year.

He has thrown for 1,941 yards with 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions in seven games for Indiana.

In Week 8, Rourke left the game early with the injury, and it was former Tennessee quarterback Tayven Jackson who replaced him.

After the game, Cignetti said Rourke "Hit his thumb, nail came off, we'll know more tomorrow, but, optimism," per IndianaHQ.

On Sunday, however, it is now reported that Rourke will miss the Week 9 showdown against Washington. The good news is that the Indiana QB will return at some point this season, although it remains to be seen when he will do so.

Related: Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti Drops Ice-Cold 6-Word Message After Nebraska Win