Indiana enjoyed a Cinderella season in 2024, tying for second in the Big Ten standings and advancing to the College Football Playoff. The Hoosiers fell, 27-17, to Notre Dame in the first round, leaving them 11-2 and with losses to only the national runner-up Fighting Irish and national champion Ohio State.

The Big Ten commissioner is reiterating the league’s preference for multiple automatic qualifiers in the next version of the College Football Playoff, increasing the likelihood of a showdown with the Southeastern Conference when the format for 2026 is decided.

The college playoffs expanding from 12 to 16 teams could happen as soon as next season, but the Big Ten and SEC haven't come to an agreement on what that format would look like.