COLUMBUS, Ohio — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti did not suppose he wanted to say it. Following Saturday’s 38-15 loss at Ohio State, do his upstart Hoosiers nonetheless belong within the 12-team playoff?
“Is {that a} severe query?” Cignetti responded defiantly. “I am not even going to reply that one. The answer is so apparent.”
Cignetti then smiled and nodded sure with a wink earlier than exiting the postgame podium.
Tuesday will reveal whether or not the playoff choice committee agrees.
Indiana’s potential inclusion – or exclusion – figures to be essentially the most controversial playoff storyline forward of the ultimate week of the common season.
Earlier than touring to Columbus, the fifth-ranked Hoosiers (10-1) had been probably the most dominant groups within the nation, reaching double-digit wins for the primary time in program historical past.
Additionally they turned the primary crew since 1998 to begin 8-0 with out trailing as soon as. All however one of many Hoosiers’ wins got here by a minimum of two touchdowns.
However the Hoosiers, who face 1-10 instate rival Purdue subsequent weekend, will end with out a High 25 win. Indiana’s energy of schedule ranked simply 106th coming into the Ohio State recreation.
The Hoosiers scored a landing on their opening drive to take their first lead over Ohio State in 5 years.
However the Buckeyes rolled the remainder of the way in which, holding Indiana to simply 53 yards within the first half, its lowest whole in a primary half in 10 years, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.
Ohio State led 31-7 earlier than the groups traded meaningless touchdowns within the remaining 2 minutes. Hoosiers quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who was second nationally in QBR (88.1), accomplished simply 8-of-18 passes for 68 yards whereas taking 5 sacks.
“We could not defend the quarterback,” Cignetti mentioned. “Each time we dropped again to cross, one thing unhealthy occurred. … it was like a nightmare.”
Particular groups proved to be nightmarish for the Hoosiers, as nicely.
Simply earlier than halftime, Indiana punter James Evans mishandled the snap and was tackled on the Hoosiers 7-yard line. The Buckeyes punched the ball ultimately zone three performs later to take a 14-7 lead into half.
Then, following an Indiana three-and-out to start the third quarter, Ohio State’s Caleb Downs returned a punt 79 yards for a landing to ignite the onslaught. Indiana fell to 1-71 all time towards AP High 5 opponents, in keeping with ESPN Analysis.
“We did not deal with the noise very nicely,” Cignetti mentioned of enjoying in Ohio Stadium. “We did not play our greatest recreation immediately. However I believe an enormous a part of that was due to them.”
The Hoosiers did get some assist later Saturday afternoon.
Florida knocked off Ole Miss 24-17, successfully eradicating the ninth-ranked Rebels (8-3) from the playoff dialog. However each the Large 12 and ACC may have a number of groups vying for playoff consideration.
Nonetheless, Rourke mentioned he believes Indiana’s total physique of labor ought to present that the Hoosiers are worthy of an at-large playoff bid.
“I hope so. We belief ourselves towards anyone,” mentioned Rourke, including that he hopes to get a rematch with Ohio State “sooner or later” within the playoffs.
“Subsequent week is an enormous recreation,” Rourke mentioned. “We have to go deal with Purdue, after which transfer on take one recreation at a time.”