The Week 7 ESPN College GameDay at Eugene saw some wild scenes in the morning. Pat McAfee radiated his electric commentary skills to Dan Lanning as both went shirtless in a frenzied and hilarious moment. All signs then pointed to McAfee picking Oregon. But despite sharing a shirtless bond with Dan Lanning, Pat McAfee picked Indiana in a strange turn of events. Yes, the same team touted to topple even the 1st-ranked Ohio State.

“I love Oregon…I love Dan Lanning. I was shirtless with that man this morning. But my wife is a Hoosier through and through, and so am I, baby! I’ll see you both in the College Football Playoffs. Indiana gets the win today. Changes the trajectory of all of college sports,” said McAfee before Indiana entered Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The result? Indiana comfortably cruised past Oregon, winning 30-20, and the path ahead looks way easier now for Curt Cignetti.

Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino appeared in their recent podcast, ‘The Ruffino and Joe Show’, episode, and described Indiana’s chances this season. For them, the current Indiana team is miles ahead of last year’s 11-win Indiana team. “I would likely pick Ohio State, but Blake, the way that they have set the tone already this year relentlessly is an indication that they are a far different team than last year,” said Joe about Indiana’s natty chances this year. Under Cignetti, the Hoosiers stitched a roster with experienced veterans through transfers from his previous team, James Madison, and by fostering a new, disciplined culture. All in all, everything’s falling into place.

He then described the quality of Indiana this year. “I just ask for anybody who’s going to talk about this Indiana team to stop using last year as a reference when this year’s team is clearly different. More importantly, this year’s team has so much veteran experience. Aiden Fiser, D’Angelo Ponds, and Kamara, who is a fantastic pass rusher. You’ve got so much experience, and it’s showing up and it’s showing out,” said Joe DeLeone. Of course, the job Indiana has done in 2025 is remarkable, considering they aren’t a football program.

Indiana, like Ohio State, is undefeated so far this year, having defeated ranked teams like Illinois and Oregon. Owing to the quality of the roster, the team avoids Ohio State in the regular season. Yet, we should definitely see Indiana facing Ohio State at least in the playoff semifinals. Indiana undoubtedly has the quality to make that playoff run again in 2025.

Due to Fernando Mendoza’s prolific plays, Indiana is 8th nationally in total offense. They are ninth in rushing offense and third-down conversions and third nationally in sacks (22), showcasing an elite D line. Unsurprisingly, Indiana forced two crucial interceptions from Dante Moore against Oregon and clinched the game by controlling the tempo and limiting the Ducks’ first downs.

That also explains why Indiana is fourth in total defense, giving away just 229 yards per game. But despite these metrics, can Indiana realistically beat Ohio State?

From underdogs to contenders: Indiana vs. Ohio State in the Playoffs

The schedule for Indiana ahead looks like a cakewalk with teams like Michigan State and UCLA in Week 8 and Week 9. Henceforth, Curt Cignetti will face Maryland, Penn State, and Wisconsin, followed by Purdue. Not one team on this list can give Indiana any trouble. Of course, UCLA has found some rhythm recently after DeShaun Foster’s firing, defeating Penn State and Michigan State. However, defeating Indiana won’t be a walk in the park. So, the battle lies realistically in the playoffs for the team.

“I’m just saying that there’s no such thing as replicating what this Indiana team has done in a short period. No one turns around a program this quickly. Nobody sets them up for success this quickly. Nobody is winning games like this on the road in a year and a half. Curt Cignetti earned the respect that he should be getting,” said Joe.

Curt Cignetti arrived in the 2024 season, after Indiana was reeling with a 3-win season in 2023, a 4-win season in 2022, and a 2-win season in 2021. Turning around from that and achieving a 17-2 record is monumental. But can that help against Ohio State?

Indiana faced Ohio State last season and lost 15-38 while QB1 Kurtis Rourke was limited to just 68 yards. Did you see the magic of defense? That’s the quality of Ohio State’s secondary and D line. That’s why the matchup won’t be easy for Indiana by any means if it happens in the playoffs. Moreover, Ohio State’s QB Julian Sayin has been phenomenal, achieving a 75.8% efficiency for 1,563 yards so far.

Considering the quality of both teams, we should expect a tense matchup against Ohio State in the playoffs. For now, though, Ohio State looks to be having the edge!!