Indiana football climbs to No. 3 in AP Top 25 Poll

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana University football team climbed to the No. 3 spot in the AP Top 25 Poll this week.

According to the Associated Press, No. 3 is the highest the Hoosiers have ever been ranked. Indiana rose to No. 3 after picking up a 30-20 win over now-eighth-ranked Oregon at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday afternoon. The Ducks were ranked third in the nation ahead of Saturday’s matchup.

Indiana is currently 6-0 on the season. Counting the win over the Ducks, the Hoosiers’ resume now boasts two victories against ranked opponents. Indiana beat then-ninth-ranked Illinois, 63-10, in Bloomington on Sept. 20.

Indiana is not the highest-ranked team in the Big Ten Conference. No. 1 Ohio State (6-0) currently holds that distinction. No. 8 Oregon, No. 20 USC and No. 25 Nebraska currently round out the list of the Big Ten’s AP-ranked teams.

The Hoosiers appear to be the midst of another program-transforming season under head coach Curt Cignetti. In Cignetti’s inaugural season at the helm, Indiana went 11-1 in the regular season and earned a College Football Playoff berth.

Prior to Cignetti’s arrival, Indiana had only had three winning seasons since 1995.

The Hoosiers have been led this season by quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who transferred to IU after two seasons at Cal. Some consider Mendoza to be having a season worthy of Heisman Trophy consideration. Thus far, Mendoza has thrown for 1,423 yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s also picked up 133 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

Indiana will play unranked, 3-3 Michigan State in Bloomington next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Indiana is not the only AP-ranked college football team in the Hoosier State. Notre Dame clocked in at No. 13 in this week’s rankings. The Fighting Irish have won their last four games after starting the season with back-to-back losses to now-second-ranked Miami and now-fourth-ranked Texas A&M.