Do you believe in Indiana now?
There is no choice in the matter. The Hoosiers scored a 30-20 victory at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday in a top-10 showdown that shook up what looked to be a pre-ordained collision course between the Ducks and Buckeyes in the Big Ten.
Curt Cignetti – now 17-2 at Indiana – continues to win. Now, the Hoosiers have the inside track on the program's first berth in the Big Ten championship game. Indiana does not have a ranked team left on the schedule, and plays four teams that are currently 0-3 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers could even be favored when they travel to Penn State on Nov. 8. Last year, Indiana was the team nobody wanted in with a 11-1 record. Now, there is no choice in that either.
MORE: Six names to watch if Penn State moves on James Franklin
The Hoosiers look like the next-best sure thing to Ohio State to get to the CFP given how the rest of the Big Ten race is shaking out. Three of the other four one-loss teams – Oregon, USC and Washington – are from the West Coast. Nebraska is the other one. Preseason Top 25 teams Illinois and Michigan have two losses each.
What happened to the traditional Big Ten? It's been flipped upside down, and Indiana is at the forefront of that change heading into the second half of the season. The Big Ten has three teams in our latest College Football Playoff bracket for Week 8:
Dropped out: Oklahoma
Moved in: Georgia Tech
Projected College Football Playoff first-round byes
No. 1 Ohio State (6-0, 3-0; Big Ten champion)
The Buckeyes continued their dominant season with a 34-16 victory at Illinois. The defense has allowed 6.8 points per game and forced three turnovers that led to 17 points against the Illini. Arvell Reese compiled eight tackles and 1.5 sacks. Julian Sayin (19 of 27, 166 yards, 2 TDs) continued his efficient play, and Jeremiah Smith (5-42, TD) has scored at least one TD in five straight games. The Buckeyes travel to Wisconsin in Week 8.
BENDER: Buckeyes' defense on historic pace
No. 2 Miami (5-0, 1-0 ACC; ACC champion)
The Hurricanes had an early second bye week, but their spot as the ACC favorite is secure. Carson Beck (1,213 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs) – who is 29-3 as a starter – has brought a feeling of stability. Reuben Bain Jr. leads the defense with three sacks and 23 quarterback hurries. This is Mario Cristobal's best team, and Miami does not have a ranked team left on the schedule. A Friday game against Louisville is the next test.
No. 3 Alabama (5-1, 3-0; SEC champion)
Kalen DeBoer is changing the road-game narrative in a hurry. Or is it a hoodie? Alabama survived against Missouri in a 27-24 victory. Ty Simpson (23 of 31, 200 yards, 3 TDs) has multiple TD passes in all six games. Simpson hit Daniel Hill for a 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal with 3:16 remaining for a 10-point lead. Jam Miller (concussion) left in the fourth quarter, and his status will need to be monitored ahead of the Week 8 matchup against Tennessee. The Vols beat the Crimson Tide 24-17 last season.
No. 4 Indiana (6-0, 3-0; Big Ten at-large)
The Hoosiers will be ranked in the top five after their victory at Oregon. Fernando Mendoza (20 of 31, 215 yards, TD, INT) shook off a pick six, but Indiana's defense was the story in limiting the Ducks to 267 total yards. It's a top-10 victory, and Indiana likely will not play a ranked opponent for the rest of the season.
MORE: Curt Cignetti throws sideline fit during win over Oregon
Projected College Football Playoff first-round matchups
A look at Sporting News projected first-round College Football Playoff matchups heading into Week 8 of the college football season:
No. 12 Memphis (6-0, 2-0 American champion) at No. 5 Ole Miss (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
The American Conference has six teams with one loss or less, but the Tigers still have the edge in the race for an automatic playoff berth. Memphis averages 40.5 points per game, and South Florida, Tulane and Navy all have to come to the Liberty Bowl. Memphis plays UAB in Week 8. Ole Miss survived a scare against Washington State. Trinidad Chambliss (20 of 29, 253 yards, 2 TDs) had three total TDs, and Kewan Lacy (24-142) had a season-high in rushing yards. The Rebels can take the next step at Georgia in Week 8.
No. 11 Georgia Tech (6-0, 3-0; ACC at-large) at No. 6 Texas A&M (6-0, 3-0; SEC at-large)
The Yellow Jackets squeeze in as the ACC's second team after a 35-20 victory against Virginia Tech. Haynes King (20 of 24, 213 yards, TD) added 14 carries for 60 yards and two TDs. Georgia Tech finished with 268 rushing yards, and Malachi Hosley (11-129, TD) was a breakout performer. Georgia Tech travels to Duke this week. The Aggies completed a perfect first half in a 34-17 victory against Florida. Texas A&M limited the Gators to 303 yards and a 1 of 10 conversion rate on third down. Marcel Reed (16 of 26, 234 yards, TD, INT) maintained his steady play, and the Aggies travel to Arkansas in Week 8. Is that a trap game?
No. 10 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1; SEC at-large) at No. 7 Texas Tech (6-0, 3-0; Big 12 champion)
Texas Tech hammered Kansas 42-17 behind a huge game from running back Cameron Dickey (21-263, 2 TDs). He scored on TD runs for 71 and 55 yards, respectively. Quarterback Behren Morton (7 of 12, 91 yards, TD) left with a leg injury, however, and was replaced for the second time this season by Will Hammond (7 of 16, 42 yards, INT). That is a major concern heading into a matchup against Arizona State in the Big 12. Tennessee shook off upset-minded Arkansas 34-31 to set up a showdown with Alabama in Week 8. The Vols racked up 264 rushing yards, led by DeSean Bishop (14-146, TD). Tennessee allowed 240 rushing yards, however. Can the Vols beat the Crimson Tide for the third time in four years?
No. 9 Georgia (5-1, 3-1; SEC at-large) at No. 8 Oregon (5-1, 2-1; Big Ten at-large)
Kirby Smart vs. Dan Lanning would be great. Did Georgia catch a break at the end of the first half against Auburn? A controversial fumble helped, but the Bulldogs escaped with a 20-10 victory. Gunner Stockton (24 of 37, 217 yards) clinched the win with an 11-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Now, the Bulldogs face Ole Miss in Week 8. The Ducks will have to shake off the loss to Indiana, and without a shot at Ohio State on the schedule, the path to the Big Ten championship game could be complicated. Dante Moore (21 of 34, 186 yards, TD, INT) struggled without the benefit of a running game that managed just 81 yards. Oregon plays at Rutgers in Week 8.
Projected College Football Playoff bubble teams
Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1)
The Sooners managed just 48 rushing yards in the 23-6 loss to Texas, and John Mateer (20 of 38, 202 yards, 3 INTs) struggled in his return from a hand injury. Oklahoma faces South Carolina in Week 8 before a string of five straight ranked opponents to close the season. Will Oklahoma survive that brutal run of games?
MORE: Arch Manning rights the Texas ship with Red River victory
LSU (5-1, 2-1)
LSU remains a mystery team in the SEC playoff race. The Tigers beat South Carolina 20-10, but the offense remains a question mark with Garrett Nussmeier (20 of 33, 254 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs). Who knew a matchup at Vanderbilt would be a prove-it moment for Brian Kelly?
BYU (6-0, 3-0)
The Cougars are the second unbeaten team in the Big 12. BYU battled the elements after a long lightning delay to gut out a 33-27 double-overtime victory against Arizona. Bear Bachmeier (12 of 29, 172 yards, TD, 2 INTs) had 22 carries for 89 yards and two TDs. LJ Martin (25-162, TD) also had a huge game on the ground. BYU faces Utah in Week 8.
Notre Dame (4-2)
The Irish beat NC State 36-7 – the second straight week where Notre Dame has allowed just seven points. The Irish had four sacks and three interceptions. CJ Carr (19 of 31, 342 yards, 2 TDs, INT) now has a 65.3% completion percentage with seven TDs and two interceptions at home. The home matchup against USC in Week 8 is the most visible game left on the schedule. Will Notre Dame take advantage?
Vanderbilt (5-1, 2-1)
Vanderbilt has a bye week to regroup after the loss to Alabama, and the Commodores average 43.2 points per game. The next two weeks will be pivotal in a possible playoff push with matchups against LSU and Missouri. How will quarterback Diego Pavia respond against two tough SEC defenses?