What will US LBM Coaches Poll voters do with an Indiana team that looks even better than last season?
No. 7 heading into Saturday, the Hoosiers beat No. 2 Oregon 30-20 and will have an argument for being ranked No. 1 nationally. Indiana can point to the win in Autzen Stadium and to a 53-point win against Illinois that was more impressive than Ohio State’s 34-16 win against the Illini.
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But the Buckeyes are a lock to stay at No. 1. Could the Hoosiers rise five spots to No. 2 and replace the Ducks?
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It’s a big climb. Miami didn’t play this weekend but is assured of moving to No. 2. In fact, the Hoosiers might not get past Mississippi to No. 3 even after the Rebels struggled more than expected in a 24-21 win at home against Washington State.
Where the Hoosiers land is the biggest unknown in this week’s Coaches Poll. Here’s our prediction for how the top of the Top 25 will look:
1. Ohio State (6-0)
Ohio State’s defense has been the best in the country and one of the best in recent program history, too. The Buckeyes are different than last season, sure, but they look formidable enough defensively to win the Big Ten.
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2. Miami (5-0)
The Hurricanes will step up one spot and take Oregon’s place behind OSU. Next up is an interesting test against Louisville, which might be the best team Miami plays the rest of the way.
3. Mississippi (6-0)
The gap of nearly 200 points that separated the Rebels and Indiana in last week’s poll should fend off the Hoosiers’ surge in the rankings. The effort by Ole Miss against Washington State was not to its standard, but it wasn’t a surprise given the matchup at Georgia next week.
4. Indiana (6-0)
Indiana is clearly better in Curt Cignetti’s second year which is impressive enough given that last season qualifies as the greatest in program history. But it’s hard to find anything the Hoosiers don’t do very well and easy to be very impressed by how physical a team Cignetti has built out of virtually nothing.
Indiana players and fans celebrate after the team’s 30-20 defeat of Oregon at Autzen Stadium.
5. Texas A&M (6-0)
The Aggies seemed wobbled early by a pair of Florida touchdowns but were pretty much in complete control from there in a 34-17 win. A defense that has made obvious growth in the last three games could develop into the SEC’s best by the end of the regular season. If the offense continues to also improve, A&M will have something.
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Five wins in a row overall, the last three against ranked SEC opponents. Alabama beat Missouri 27-24 thanks to another really strong game by Ty Simpson, who had 200 yards and three touchdowns to maintain his torrid run since the opener against Florida State.
7. Oregon (5-1)
The Ducks could easily land ahead of Alabama. But there are two main reasons why this is a more likely landing spot. One is the double-overtime win against Penn State, which no longer carries the same weight given how things have unfolded in Happy Valley. The other is that moving Alabama to No. 6 rewards the Crimson Tide’s three ranked wins in a row.
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8. Georgia (5-1)
Nothing really comes easy for Georgia. What if Jackson Arnold had scored at the goal line with Auburn ahead 10-0 late in the first half? Georgia kicked a field goal to trail 10-3 at the break and then held the Tigers in check from there to win 20-10. Voters will respect a road win in this rivalry and keep the Bulldogs ahead of unbeaten Texas Tech.
9. Texas Tech (6-0)
Tech led Kansas 18-0 early but went into halftime up 21-17. A couple of quick touchdown drives in the second half fueled a 42-17 win that further solidifies the Red Raiders’ place as the best team in the Big 12.
10. LSU (5-1)
The Tigers beat South Carolina 20-10 and will replace Oklahoma in the top 10 after the Sooners’ loss to Texas. LSU committed three turnovers and failed to put South Carolina away until under two minutes to play, but the offense did run for 166 yards and average 7.7 yards per pass attempt.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football coaches poll ranking projection after Week 7
