ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has Indiana ranked as the No. 1 college football team just ahead of defending national champion Ohio State after the Hoosiers’ 30-20 road win at then-No. 3 Oregon last Saturday.
Herbstreit made his remarks on the Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday.
“They deserve all the credit in the world,” Herbstreit said in part. “In fact, this week I have them at No. 1 in the country, but just slightly ahead of Ohio State just because of what they did against Illinois and against Oregon, especially on the road in Oregon.”
Indiana crushed (then) No. 9 Illinois 63-10 on Sept. 20 and followed that up three weeks later with a statement win over the Ducks. The Hoosiers showcased their resiliency in that one after quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw a pick-six that helped tie the game at 20 early in the fourth quarter.
However, Mendoza then led Indiana on a 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by an eight-yard touchdown toss to Elijah Sarratt. Indiana intercepted Oregon quarterback Dante Moore twice down the stretch, and in between, Hoosiers kicker Brendan Franke knocked home a 22-yard field goal for the 30-20 lead.
Right now, Indiana is ranked third in the Associated Press poll behind No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Miami. The Hoosiers have made a dramatic rise up the poll after starting the year at 20th.
Led by head coach Curt Cignetti and Mendoza, a Heisman Trophy candidate, the Hoosiers have started the 2025 season with a 6-0 record.
The Hoosiers could also very well finish this season 12-0 and roll into the Big Ten Championship Game. Only one of the remaining six teams on their schedule, 4-2 Maryland, has a winning record.
Indiana will look to keep it rolling on Saturday when the team hosts Michigan State.
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