Indiana opens at No. 4 in the CFP rankings

Indiana’s first 2026 CFP ranking is No. 4, the highest-ranked Big Ten team and currently a projected first-round-bye recipient; the snapshot bracket matches the Hoosiers with the Alabama–Boise State winner. The article notes Indiana lacks a win over a committee-ranked team, has a schedule it describes as weak, and has won several close games. USC, Washington, and Purdue offer opportunities to strengthen its case, but rankings and bracket projections can change.