Indiana football has made a historic 9-0 start to their season, marking a first in the program’s history, following a commanding 47-10 victory over Michigan State. This welcomed the return of starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke, propelling the Hoosiers closer to a College Football Playoff spot. Rourke had missed the last game due to a right thumb injury but put on a solid performance against Michigan State, completing 19 of 29 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns. This triumphant return places him in contention for the Heisman Trophy and puts first-year coach Curt Cignetti in the spotlight for the title of national coach of the year.
Even with this impressive streak, Indiana trailed for the first time this season, temporarily 10 points behind Michigan State. However, the Hoosiers quickly made up for this and dominated the game, sacking Michigan seven times, with defensive end Mikail Kamara making 2 1/2 of these. Michigan State managed only 205 yards of total offense, averaging 3.2 yards per play, which speaks to Indiana’s defensive prowess.
The 2024 season seems to rival the greatest Indiana season on record, established by coach John Pont’s 1967 team, which won the Big Ten, made an appearance at the lone Rose Bowl, and concluded with a 9-2 record. Another comparable season is the 1945 run by coach Bo McMillin’s Hoosiers, which ended in a 9-0-1 and 5-0-1 record in the Western Conference, the precursor to the Big Ten.
As it stands, the 2024 Hoosiers have the best start in the program’s history. Should they beat the beleaguered national champion Michigan at home in the coming week, they will be the first Indiana team to achieve double figures in victories. The remaining games include a visit to Ohio State and a home game against Purdue, the lowest-ranking team in the Big Ten.
Assuming Michigan’s attempt to pull off an upset fails, the Hoosiers and Buckeyes match could decide a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game opposite the No.1 Oregon. A loss in Columbus is unlikely to stop Indiana from participating in the first 12-team College Football Playoff, given their current form. The Athletic predicts an 87% chance for the Hoosiers to make the field based on their current standing.
Furthermore, these upsets and underdog triumphs exemplify the unpredictable nature of this season. Other notable occurrences include Vanderbilt defeating Alabama to achieve eligibility in nine games, both Army and Navy entering the top 25, and Pittsburgh starting 7-0 for the first time since 1982, adding an element of excitement and uncertainty to the sport.
