In a recent addition to the ESPN 2024 college football playoff predictor, the Indiana football team was given a 23% chance to make the playoff.
The Hoosiers are 3-0 this season and just put up 42 points against the UCLA Bruins as they introduced the Californians to the Big Ten Conference.
Indiana has scored 150 points through three games this season including a 77-point performance against Western Illinois. Transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a massive bright spot for the Hoosiers after joining from the Ohio Bobcats. Rourke has been perfect thus far, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
Warning: Kurtis Rourke’s Week 3 reel is a lengthy one 💯#B1GFootball x @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/EJcEqmKyrW
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 16, 2024
Rourke currently holds the fourth-best quarterback rating in college football with a rating of 89.4. The quarterback has also added a touchdown on the ground as well but has mainly been a passing presence for the team. The Indiana football team previously watched starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby leave in the transfer portal and worried about the future success of the team.
Along with the quarterback being a massive part of the Hoosiers’ success, the offensive line has also been pivotal thus far.
The Indiana football team has three running backs with three touchdowns and over 100 rushing yards this season. The Indiana football staff has been creating huge lanes and great success running the ball against opposing defenses thus far. Indiana will have to continue to play good, fundamental football in order to extend their winning streak.
With how well the Indiana football team has played thus far taken into account, along with their projected win total, Indiana has a 23.4% chance of making the college football playoff, according to ESPN.
Can the Indiana Football Team Secure a CFP Spot This Season?
The Indiana football team is very strong and has shown that early on on both sides of the football. However, they may not be strong enough to earn a playoff spot.
Indiana has an easier matchup this weekend against Charlotte, but they must return to the conference and play the Maryland Terrapins. Maryland is a 2-1 team with a talented offense, and if the Hoosiers survive a dance with them, they must play Northwestern, Nebraska, and Washington afterward.
The key games are going to come against #22 Nebraska, #18 Michigan, and #3 Ohio State. Michigan and Nebraska are both vulnerable teams if the Hoosiers can manage to pressure the quarterback. Ohio State on the other hand is a rather difficult content, with Jeremiah Smith, Quinshon Judkins, and Will Howard looking fantastic through three games.
If the Indiana football team can manage to win two out of three of the games listed above, the possibility of making the playoff increases exponentially.
The Indiana football team is very talented, but will not make it into the playoffs based off of talent and schedule strength alone. Indiana has a very easy out-of-conference schedule this season with Charlotte being the toughest test. With that in mind, the Indiana football team needs to win the big conference games on their schedule in order to sniff the playoffs.
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