Indiana’s Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance After Tough Loss to Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti didn’t mince words after his team’s 38-15 loss to Ohio State on Saturday. When asked if his Hoosiers still deserve a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, Cignetti’s response was as bold as it was brief.
“Is that a serious question?” he shot back, his tone defiant. “I’m not even going to answer that one. The answer’s so obvious.”
Then, with a sly smile and a wink, Cignetti left the podium, leaving the room buzzing with speculation. But the real answer to that question won’t come until Tuesday, when the playoff selection committee releases its updated rankings. For now, Indiana’s inclusion—or exclusion—remains one of the most hotly debated topics in college football.
Indiana’s Historic Season Hits a Roadblock
Heading into Saturday’s game, the fifth-ranked Hoosiers (10-1) were riding high. They had already made history by reaching double-digit wins for the first time in program history. Even more impressively, they became the first team since 1998 to start 8-0 without trailing in a single game. All but one of their victories came by at least two touchdowns, a testament to their dominance.
But there’s a glaring hole in Indiana’s résumé: they lack a win over a Top 25 opponent. Their strength of schedule ranked just 106th nationally heading into the Ohio State matchup. And against the Buckeyes, the Hoosiers’ weaknesses were exposed in brutal fashion.
Indiana actually struck first, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive to take their first lead over Ohio State in five years. But that was the high point of the afternoon. The Buckeyes took control from there, holding Indiana to just 53 yards in the first half—the Hoosiers’ lowest first-half total in a decade, according to ESPN Research.
By halftime, Ohio State led 14-7, and the floodgates opened in the second half. The Buckeyes extended their lead to 31-7 before the teams traded late-game touchdowns that had little impact on the outcome. Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who entered the game ranked second nationally in QBR (88.1), struggled mightily. He completed just 8-of-18 passes for 68 yards, took five sacks, and looked nothing like the player who had led Indiana’s high-powered offense all season.
Special Teams Struggles Add to Indiana’s Woes
As if the offensive struggles weren’t enough, Indiana’s special teams had a nightmare of their own. Just before halftime, punter James Evans mishandled a snap and was tackled at the Hoosiers’ 7-yard line. Ohio State capitalized three plays later, punching the ball into the end zone to take the lead.
The special teams disaster continued in the third quarter. After Indiana went three-and-out to start the half, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown, effectively sealing the game. The Hoosiers fell to 1-71 all-time against AP Top 5 opponents, according to ESPN Research.
“We couldn’t protect the quarterback,” Cignetti admitted after the game. “Every time we dropped back to pass, something bad happened. … It was like a nightmare.”
He also acknowledged the challenges of playing in Ohio Stadium, saying, “We didn’t handle the noise very well. We didn’t play our best game today. But I think a big part of that was because of them.”
Playoff Picture: What’s Next for Indiana?
Despite the loss, Indiana’s playoff hopes aren’t entirely dashed. They got some help later on Saturday when Florida upset Ole Miss 24-17, effectively eliminating the ninth-ranked Rebels (8-3) from playoff contention. However, the Big 12 and ACC could still have multiple teams vying for at-large bids, making Indiana’s path to the postseason anything but certain.
Rourke, for his part, remains optimistic. “I hope so. We trust ourselves against anybody,” he said when asked if Indiana deserves a playoff spot. He even expressed a desire for a rematch with Ohio State “at some point” in the playoffs.
But first, the Hoosiers have to take care of business against their 1-10 in-state rival, Purdue, next weekend. “Next week is a big game,” Rourke said. “We’ve got to go handle Purdue, and then move on, take one game at a time.”
Key Takeaways
- Indiana’s 10-1 record and historic season are impressive, but their lack of a Top 25 win and weak strength of schedule could hurt their playoff chances.
- The Hoosiers’ struggles against Ohio State, particularly on offense and special teams, exposed vulnerabilities that the selection committee will likely consider.
- Indiana’s playoff fate may hinge on their performance against Purdue and the outcomes of other key games in the final week of the regular season.
As the playoff picture comes into focus, one thing is clear: Indiana’s journey to this point has been remarkable, but their ultimate destination remains uncertain. Will the selection committee agree with Cignetti’s confidence? We’ll find out soon enough.
Originally Written by: Adam Rittenberg
