In a significant update to the College Football Playoff rankings, Boise State has propelled itself ahead of BYU in the latest edition, while several SEC teams have undergone notable reshuffles, as analyzed by USA TODAY Sports’ Dan Wolken.
Not one to shy away from expressing his thoughts, Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti, renowned for his bold personality, made headlines during his introductory press conference when he delivered the audacious “Google me” statement.
This unmistakable confidence from the inaugural season coach of the Hoosiers was still evident in the media room at Ohio Stadium, even following his team’s first loss of the season, a considerable 38-15 setback against the prestigious second-ranked Buckeyes.
After Indiana, ranked No. 5, fell to Ohio State, Cignetti was posed a pivotal question about his team’s potential playoff aspirations despite suffering a crucial loss. With a lighthearted chuckle, he remarked, “Is that a serious question? I’m not even going to answer that, the answer is so obvious.”
Following a brief pause, the first-year coach mischievously winked and nodded “yes” in response to the reporter, hinting at his unwavering belief in the Hoosiers’ playoff potential.
Cignetti and his squad approached the high-stakes clash against the Buckeyes with an esteemed No. 5 ranking in the latest CFP top 25, bolstered by a projected No. 7 seed in the 12-team CFP bracket, alongside an impressive 96.1% chance of qualifying for the playoffs, as indicated by ESPN’s College Football Power Index.
Looking ahead, Indiana is poised to conclude its regular season with a highly anticipated matchup against Purdue at home in Week 14. According to ESPN Analytics, the Hoosiers hold a commanding 97.7% likelihood of overcoming the Boilermakers, which would mark their 11th victory of the season — a historic achievement for the program.
As the excitement builds, the Hoosiers await the announcement of their anticipated CFP ranking and seeding on Tuesday, when the fourth edition of the rankings is set to be revealed live at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
What are the key factors that contributed to Boise State’s rise in the College Football Playoff rankings over BYU, according to Dan Wolken?
**Interview with Dan Wolken, Sports Analyst at USA TODAY Sports**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dan! Thank you for joining us to discuss the recent changes in the College Football Playoff rankings between Boise State and BYU, as well as the notable shuffles among SEC teams.
**Dan Wolken:** Thanks for having me! It’s an exciting time in college football with so much at stake.
**Editor:** Let’s dive in. Boise State moving ahead of BYU is a significant development. What factors contributed to this shift in the rankings?
**Dan Wolken:** The change really reflects Boise State’s strong performance over the last few games. They’ve shown consistent improvement and have a quality win that solidified their position against BYU. The margin in these rankings often comes down to strength of schedule and head-to-head performance, and Boise has been able to capitalize on those elements effectively.
**Editor:** There’s a lot of buzz about the SEC teams shuffling as well. Which teams have been most affected, and what does this mean for their playoff chances?
**Dan Wolken:** The SEC is always competitive, and this season is no different. A few teams like Ole Miss and Kentucky have seen their rankings fluctuate due to losses and wins against ranked opponents. These movements are crucial because the playoff committee tends to favor teams from the SEC based on their track record, so any slip-ups can have significant implications for postseason eligibility.
**Editor:** Moving on to Indiana football, Coach Curt Cignetti has stirred up quite a bit of media attention with his “Google me” comment and his demeanor after a tough loss against Ohio State. What is your take on his attitude, especially regarding playoff aspirations?
**Dan Wolken:** Cignetti’s confidence is certainly noteworthy, especially after a loss. Such statements can rally his team and fans, but they also put him under scrutiny. Following a challenging game like the one against Ohio State, it’s a double-edged sword. His response about playoff aspirations being obvious suggests that he believes in his team’s potential despite the setbacks, which can be motivating. However, external pressure will mount if they don’t start to show results soon.
**Editor:** It’s interesting how coaches navigate the balance between confidence and reality. Do you think he has a viable path to contention in the playoffs with Indiana?
**Dan Wolken:** It’s a long road. Given the depth of competition in college football this year, Indiana will need to bounce back quickly and secure some quality wins moving forward. If they can put together a strong finish, they might still be in the playoff conversation. But right now, it’s about taking it one game at a time while rebuilding momentum.
**Editor:** Great insights, Dan. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these developments in college football!
**Dan Wolken:** Always a pleasure! Looking forward to seeing how everything unfolds as we get closer to the playoffs.
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