Indiana Football on the Rise: A Closer Look at Big Ten Contenders and Their Schedules

Photo byTodd Golden

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – As the leaves turn and October rolls in, Indiana football finds itself at a pivotal moment in the Big Ten landscape. On October 9, the Hoosiers sit at No. 18 in the national rankings and claim first place in the Big Ten, a remarkable feat considering their struggles in recent seasons. Last year, Indiana was already 0-2 in conference play by this date, and since 2016, they have consistently faced early losses. This year, however, the tide seems to be shifting.

The expanded, 18-team Big Ten has changed the dynamics of conference play, eliminating divisions and opening up the race. While the Hoosiers currently enjoy an undefeated record, their path to the conference title is just beginning. Notably, Indiana does not face key competitors like Penn State and Oregon, both of whom remain unbeaten, nor do they contend with one-loss teams such as Illinois, Iowa, Rutgers, or Wisconsin.

The difficulty of conference schedules varies significantly, and so far, Indiana’s three Big Ten opponents have collectively gone 0-4 in their other conference games, showcasing the Hoosiers’ favorable situation.

As of now, 11 of the 18 Big Ten schools have not suffered more than one loss in conference play. The landscape is competitive, with two losses likely proving detrimental to any team's title hopes. This reality has already eliminated winless teams such as Maryland, Northwestern, Purdue, and UCLA from contention. Michigan State and Minnesota have also faced two losses, the latter notably knocking Southern California out of the AP Top 25 with a surprising 24-17 victory.

With a tightly packed field of contenders, Indiana must navigate its remaining schedule carefully. Here’s a look at how the other competitive teams stack up:

1. Ohio State: Consistently a powerhouse, their schedule includes tough matchups against several ranked opponents.
2. Michigan: Another formidable contender, Michigan’s schedule is littered with potential challenges but is balanced enough to keep them in the running.
3. Penn State: Unbeaten thus far, the Nittany Lions’ remaining games will test their mettle against tough competition.
4. Oregon: Also undefeated, they present a formidable challenge for any team they face.
5. Iowa, Illinois, Rutgers, and Wisconsin: These one-loss teams are not to be overlooked. Their remaining games could lead to shakeups in the standings.

The next few weeks will be crucial for Indiana, as they seek to maintain momentum and fend off the competition. With a blend of favorable scheduling and a renewed sense of purpose, the Hoosiers are determined to prove that they can contend for the Big Ten title.

As Indiana pushes forward, fans can expect an exhilarating journey as the Hoosiers strive to carve out their place among the conference elite.