BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football took a big step towards convincing the college football world it’s a legit contender on Saturday with a 56-7 win over Nebraska.
That was reflected in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll with the undefeated Hoosiers (7-0; 4-0 Big Ten) moving up to No. 13, five spots up from last week. They jumped up five spots and surpassed the likes of Alabama, Ole Miss, Missouri and Texas A&M.
They are one of 10 remaining unbeaten teams — three are in the Big Ten (Oregon and Penn State) — and only one of two teams (Army) that has yet to trail.
Indiana football news:ESPN’s College Gameday will make its first appearance on a Saturday at Indiana
Indiana’s win over Nebraska was completely one-sided affair. The Hoosiers out-gained their Big Ten rival 495-304 in total yards without their starting quarterback playing in the second half, forced five turnovers (four in the second half) and it was the most points the Cornhuskers allowed since a loss to Michigan in 2018.
“I think this says a lot about our team,” Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said, after the game. “I know there was a national perception that Nebraska had a pretty legit defense on a national scale. So that will open their eyes, okay? I think this is a great team win.”
The Hoosiers have won all their games by 14 points or more, scored 40-plus points in five straight games for the first time in program history and the top scoring team in the country (48.7 points per game).
Others receiving votes
UNLV 28; Syracuse 27; Washington State 25; Duke 7; Memphis 6; Liberty 6; Wisconsin 3; Tulane 3; Cincinnati 2; Nebraska 1; Arizona State 1;
Indiana 4-0, 7-0
Oregon 4-0, 7-0
Penn State 3-0, 6-0
Illinois 3-1, 6-1
Wisconsin 3-1, 5-2
Ohio State 2-1, 5-1
Nebraska 2-2, 5-2
Iowa 2-2, 4-3
Washington 2-2, 4-3
Minnesota 2-2, 4-3
Michigan 2-2, 4-3
Michigan State 2-2, 4-3
Maryland 1-3, 4-3
Rutgers 1-3, 4-3
Northwestern 1-3, 3-4
USC 1-4, 3-4
UCLA 1-4, 2-5
Purdue 0-4, 1-6
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
