AP Top 25 Poll: Indiana Receives Votes After Defeating UCLA

Following a 42-13 win over UCLA, Indiana received 13 votes in the latest AP Top 25 poll. Three of Indiana's future opponents are ranked: Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke (9) and offensive lineman Mike Katic (56) celebrate after a touchdown against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

A 42-13 win over UCLA has nationwide voters taking notice of the Hoosiers.

Indiana is not ranked in Sunday's AP Top 25 poll, but the Hoosiers received 13 votes. That effectively puts them No. 34 in the nation.

Indiana most recently appeared in the AP Top 25 poll when it was ranked No. 17 in the nation in the 2021 preseason poll. But after a season-opening 34-6 loss at Iowa, the Hoosiers dropped out and never returned. Indiana wasn't ranked at any point during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, a 7-17 stretch.

Indiana improved to 3-0 in its first season under coach Curt Cignetti after its dominant victory on Saturday at the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke completed 25 of 33 passes for 307 yards, four touchdowns and zero turnovers. Indiana's defense limited UCLA to 283 yards and forced two turnovers.

Three of Indiana's future opponents appeared in the latest rankings: No. 3 Ohio State, No. 18 Michigan and No. 22 Nebraska. The Buckeyes are 2-0 with a pair of blowout wins over Akron and Western Michigan, and they're schedule to host the Hoosiers on Nov. 23.

Michigan is 2-1 with wins over Fresno State and Arkansas State, plus a 31-12 home loss to Texas. The Wolverines travel to Bloomington on Nov. 9. Indiana could play its first ranked opponent of the season on Oct. 19, when Nebraska comes to Bloomington. The Cornhuskers are 3-0 with wins over UTEP, Colorado and Northern Iowa.

Here's the full poll, released Sunday afternoon.

1. Texas, 3-0 (35)

2. Georgia, 3-0 (23)

3. Ohio State, 2-0 (5)

4. Alabama, 3-0

5. Ole Miss, 3-0

6. Tennessee, 3-0

7. Missouri, 3-0

8. Miami (FL), 3-0

9. Oregon, 3-0

10. Penn State, 2-0

11. USC, 2-0

12. Utah, 3-0

13. Kansas State, 3-0

14. Oklahoma State, 3-0

15. Oklahoma, 3-0

16. LSU, 2-1

17. Notre Dame, 2-1

18. Michigan, 2-1

19. Louisville, 2-0

20. Iowa State, 2-0

21. Clemson, 1-1

22. Nebraska, 3-0

23. Northern Illinois, 2-0

24. Illinois, 3-0

25. Texas A&M, 2-1

Others receiving votes: Memphis 77, Boise St. 62, Syracuse 62, UNLV 54, Boston College 47, Washington St. 30, Arizona 15, Iowa 15, Indiana 13, California 11, Liberty 10, Toledo 9, UCF 6, South Carolina 3, North Carolina 3, Arizona St. 3, BYU 2, Pittsburgh 1.Memphis 77, Boise St. 62, Syracuse 62, UNLV 54, Boston College 47, Washington St. 30, Arizona 15, Iowa 15, Indiana 13, California 11, Liberty 10, Toledo 9, UCF 6, South Carolina 3, North Carolina 3, Arizona St. 3, BYU 2, Pittsburgh 1.

Related stories on Indiana football

• INDIANA DEFEATS UCLA IN LARGEST BIG TEN ROAD WIN SINCE 2001: Indiana hammered UCLA 42-13 in the Rose Bowl. It was Indiana's biggest road win since 2001. CLICK HERE.

• WHAT CIGNETTI SAID: Read all of Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's comments after Indiana's 42-13 win over UCLA. CLICK HERE.

• WHAT ROURKE SAID: Here's the video and transcript of quarterback Kurtis Rourke reacting to Indiana's win over UCLA. CLICK HERE

• TODD'S TAKE: Indiana football fans always seem to be waiting to have the rug pulled out from under them when success comes, but these Hoosiers are solid, grounded and set up for success. CLICK HERE

• LIVE BLOG: Read about Indiana's 42-13 win over UCLA as it unfolded. CLICK HERE.

• CROSS DOES IT AGAIN: Indiana wide receiver Miles Cross had a one-handed catch to keep a key Indiana series alive. CLICK HERE.