Where IU football stands in CFP projections ahead of Tuesday’s rankings release

Photos of IU football vs. UCLA football at Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025.

The first CFP rankings will be released on Tuesday, November 4, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

At 9-0 and No. 2 in the AP top 25 poll and the US LBM coaches top 25 poll, IU football is expected to be near the top of the CFP rankings.

Here’s an updated roundup of CFP projections from various outlets:

Heather Dinich, ESPN.com: Indiana at No. 2

“The Hoosiers earned their third road win of the season on Saturday at Maryland, which is now a four-loss team. Indiana has been one of the most dominant teams in the country, regardless of opponent, ranking No. 2 in ESPN’s game control metric — second only to Ohio State. Indiana’s nonconference lineup, though, doesn’t include an opponent as impressive as Texas. The Hoosiers beat Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State — the latter being a struggling FCS team. IU and Ohio State are very evenly matched statistically, but Ohio State entered Saturday with the best defense in the country, holding opponents to 6.88 points per game.”

Other ESPN staffer projections:

Andrea Adelson: Indiana at No. 2
Kyle Bonagura: Indiana at No. 2
Bill Connelly: Indiana at No. 1
David Hale: Indiana at No. 2
Eli Lederman: Indiana at No. 2
Max Olson: Indiana at No. 2
Adam Rittenberg: Indiana at No. 2
Mark Schlabach: Indiana at No. 2
Jake Trotter: Indiana at No. 2
Paolo Uggetti: Indiana at No. 2
Dave Wilson: Indiana at No. 2

Stan Becton, NCAA.com: Indiana at No. 3

“Indiana will be a top-three team for sure, but where it will rank is up for debate. Unlike the top two teams on this list, the Hoosiers won’t have a ranked nonconference win. However, a road win over Oregon will still stand out.”

Matt Hayes, USA Today: Indiana at No. 1

“If we’re being intellectually honest, it’s Indiana and a long way to No. 2. No one else has been so impressive.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Indiana at No. 2

“The Hoosiers lead the FBS with an average scoring margin of 31 points per game. Indiana continues to look the part under second-year coach Curt Cignetti, which should hold off the SEC powers for now.”

Bryan Fisher, Sports Illustrated: Indiana at No. 2

“The most interesting debate the selection committee could have next week is if Indiana should be the No. 1 team in the country over Ohio State given its better wins, or if it should actually be behind Texas A&M given the strength of the Aggies’ record.”

Steve Lassan, Athlon Sports: Indiana at No. 2

“With Week 10 of the 2025 college football season in the books, it’s time to project how the 12-team playoff will look by December. The projected field features a few changes following Week 10 action. Ohio State remains the No. 1 seed after its win over Penn State, and Indiana stays No. 2 after easily defeating Maryland on Saturday.”

Austin Mock, The Athletic: Indiana at No. 2

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CFP rankings release schedule on ESPN:

8-8:45 p.m. ET – Tuesday, Nov. 4
7-8 p.m. ET – Tuesday, Nov. 11
8:30-9 p.m. ET – Tuesday, Nov. 18
7-8 p.m. ET – Tuesday, Nov. 25
7-7:30 p.m. ET – Tuesday, Dec. 2
12-3 p.m. ET – Sunday, Dec. 7 (Selection Day)

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