AP Top 25 Poll: Indiana Moves Up During Bye Week, Hosts Nebraska Next

Coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers had the weekend off, but they climbed two spots to No. 16 in Sunday's AP Top 25 poll ahead of their homecoming game against Nebraska.
Indiana Hoosiers running back Ty Son Lawton (17) and offensive lineman Bray Lynch (74) celebrate after a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins.
Indiana Hoosiers running back Ty Son Lawton (17) and offensive lineman Bray Lynch (74) celebrate after a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins. / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Despite having a bye week, Indiana moved up in the AP Top 25 poll.

The Hoosiers came in at No. 16 in the nation in Sunday's poll after being ranked No. 18 last week and No. 23 two weeks ago.

This is Indiana's highest ranking in the AP Top 25 poll since the end of the 2020 season, when it was ranked No. 12 and had a 6-2 record. Under coach Tom Allen, Indiana was ranked as high as No. 7 in the nation that season.

Indiana's jump is a result of Ole Miss' 29-26 loss at LSU, which dropped the Rebels from No. 9 to No. 18. The Hoosiers also benefitted from Oklahoma's 34-3 loss to No. 1 Texas, which saw the Sooners go from No. 18 in the nation to unranked.

Indiana is 6-0 ahead of Saturday's homecoming game against Nebraska, which kicks off at Noon ET on FOX at Memorial Stadium. The Cornhuskers also did not play over the weekend, and they're effectively ranked No. 27 in the nation with 62 points received in Sunday's poll.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, Oregon moved up to No. 2 in the nation after defeating Ohio State, which fell two spots to No. 4 after its 32-31 loss in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday. Penn State won 33-30 at USC and advanced one spot to No. 3 in the nation.

That makes Indiana the fourth-highest ranked Big Ten team, ahead of No. 22 Illinois and No. 24 Michigan. Nebraska, Iowa and USC also received votes in this week's poll but remain outside the top 25.

Here's the full poll.

1. Texas (6-0) (56 first-place points)

2. Oregon (6-0) (6 first-place points)

3. Penn State (6-0)

4. Ohio State (5-1)

5. Georgia (5-1)

6. Miami (FL) (6-0)

7. Alabama (5-1)

8. LSU (5-1)

9. Iowa State (6-0)

10. Clemson (5-1)

11. Tennessee (5-1)

12. Notre Dame (5-1)

13. BYU (6-0)

14. Texas A&M (5-1)

15. Boise State (5-1)

16. Indiana (6-0)

17. Kansas State (5-1)

18. Ole Miss (5-2)

19. Missouri (5-1)

20. Pittsburgh (6-0)

21. SMU (5-1)

22. Illinois (5-1)

23. Army (6-0)

24. Michigan (4-2)

25. Navy (5-0)

Related stories on Indiana football

  • NEBRASKA GAME SOLD OUT: Indiana announced that its Homecoming game against Nebraska on Oct. 19 is sold out. CLICK HERE.
  • BRING COLLEGE GAMEDAY TO BLOOMINGTON: Todd Golden thinks the Hoosiers have earned it and that it would be great to bring former Indiana coach Lee Corso back to Bloomington. CLICK HERE.
  • HOW INDIANA AND THE REST OF THE BIG TEN SCHEDULES COMPARE: How does Indiana's remaining slate matchup with its Big Ten rivals? CLICK HERE.
  • HOOSIERS ON SI REVISITS PRESEASON PREDICTIONS: Look back on what Jack Ankony and Todd Golden got right and what they got wrong before the season began. CLICK HERE.
  • CIGNETTI LEANS ON GROUP OF FIVE TALENT TO WIN: Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has leaned into Group Of Five transfers to form his core and it has paid off. CLICK HERE.

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Jack Ankony
JACK ANKONY

Jack Ankony is a Sports Illustrated/FanNation writer for HoosiersNow.com. He graduated from Indiana University's Media School with a degree in journalism. Follow on Twitter @ankony_jack.