In the middle of an undefeated start, IU football is still attracting national notice. On Sunday, the team entered the top 25 of the US LBM Coaches Poll.
The Hoosiers (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) are off to their best start since 1967. They have won their first five games for just the third time in program history.
Indiana moves into 24th place after a 42-28 win over Maryland, while Oklahoma State (20th) is outside the Top 25. The Hoosiers are one of seven Big Ten teams currently ranked (No. 3 Ohio State, No. 6 Oregon, No. 7 Penn State, No. 10 Michigan, No. 15 USC and No. 25 Illinois).
“We`re 5-0, and in 57 years — I’m older than that, by the way — but this isn’t the end for us,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said. “I’m proud of the team and everything they’ve accomplished.”
The last time IU was ranked 17th in the 2021 Coaches Poll, it only briefly stayed atop the list after a 34-6 loss to Iowa No. 25.
Cignetti has told of his former coach Nick Saban, telling his players to block out all outside influences, including rankings.
“We are used to being successful, this staff that I brought in, the players that are here,” Cignetti said last week. “When you win, it’s about maintaining your edge and avoiding complacency and not having the warm fuzzies and not taking the rat poison, right?”
“Eliminating the noise and the clutter, focusing on what’s going to help you get to the point where you can perform to the best of your ability on Saturday, the preparation part, the physical and mental preparation.”
Indiana will look to remain unbeaten on Saturday when it visits Northwestern, which will be played at the Wildcats’ temporary stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan.