Indiana proves it's legitimate with romp over Nebraska

Indiana football is no longer a punchline.

With its emphatic 56-7 win over Nebraska, the Hoosiers proved they are for real.

Associated Press No. 16 Indiana (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) was never threatened in its largest win over a conference opponent since a 49-0 win over Minnesota in November 1945. (h/t AP's Josh Dubow)

The Hoosiers scored a touchdown on their opening drive and led 28-7 by halftime. They outgained the Cornhuskers 495-304, including 215 rushing yards to Nebraska's 70.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke was an efficient 17-of-21 for 189 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Running back Justice Ellison gained 105 yards and scored two touchdowns on nine carries. Both transferred to Indiana during the offseason as part of head coach Curt Cignetti's roster overhaul.

Per On3 , the Hoosiers added 31 players via the portal, tied with Louisville for the second-most in FBS, while 38 players left.

The upheaval has revitalized the program, which is 7-0 for the first time since 1967 and just the second time ever.

Indiana has won its first four conference games by an average of 27.3 points per game. Ahead of Saturday's mid-afternoon games, only Notre Dame has a larger average margin of victory against power conference opponents (29.5 points per game) this season.

It's time we start discussing the Hoosiers as a legitimate contender for a College Football Playoff berth.

Indiana will likely be favored in all but one of its final five games (Nov. 23 at No. 4 Ohio State). Per ESPN's Playoff Predictor , Indiana has a 47% chance to earn a CFP bid, the 10th-highest odds entering Week 8.

It hosts Washington (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) next Saturday at noon ET, followed by a road trip to Michigan State (3-3, 1-2 Big Ten).

The Hoosiers host offensively challenged No. 24 Michigan (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) ahead of their game against the Buckeyes, and they end the season against arguably college football's worst power conference team, Purdue (1-6, 0-4 Big Ten).

Indiana has a manageable path to ending the season within range of an at-large playoff bid — if it doesn't win its conference outright.

If that sounds like a joke, it's only because it contains a kernel of truth.