Indiana Down Another Spot In AP Top 25 Poll

The latest AP Top 25 poll has delivered another slight slide for the reigning national champion Indiana Hoosiers. Despite extending their Football Bowl Subdivision-leading win streak to 20 consecutive games with a 29-23 victory over Northwestern, Indiana dropped one spot to No. 6 in the Week 4 poll.

Though the Hoosiers remain undefeated at 4-0 (1-0 Big Ten) and even collected a first-place vote, AP voters continue to treat Curt Cignetti's squad with a measure of hesitation. The slip to No. 6 behind Miami (FL) and Ohio State marks the second week where voters penalized them following a 38-0 shutout over Western Kentucky. Yes, Indiana is sliding because other teams are moving up, but it still feels a little wrong.

Indiana's early-season path has featured a mix of dominance and grit. The Hoosiers opened their campaign with convincing out-of-conference home victories over North Texas (52-16), Howard (55-0) and Western Kentucky. In those three contests, Indiana outscored opponents 145-16, displaying the surgical efficiency that defined their 2025 championship run.

However, Friday night's Big Ten opener against Northwestern proved to be their first true litmus test. While the Hoosiers dominated the state lines — outgaining Northwestern 472 yards to 325, holding the Wildcats to just 32 rushing yards, and getting a monster 203-yard performance on the ground from Lee Beebe Jr. — the game remained tightly contested down the stretch. Eight penalties, missed passing opportunities, and defensive lapses in the second half allowed Northwestern to stay within a single score until the final whistle. 

Voters appear to be measuring the 2026 Hoosiers against the lofty standard of last year's dominant team, rewarding Miami's jump up the rankings while docking Indiana for surviving a close call at home. Yet, within head coach Curt Cignetti's program, the objective remains clear: win games and build momentum. The Hoosiers have now won 19 consecutive games at home and 18 of their last 19 Big Ten matchups.

With a road matchup against Rutgers up next on October 3, Indiana has every opportunity to regain its upward trajectory. If the Hoosiers continue to clean up mistakes and navigate their Big Ten schedule unscathed, their temporary drop to No. 6 will quickly become an afterthought in the College Football Playoff picture.