**Hoosiers Retain CFP Position Amidst Losses by Rival Teams**

Despite concerns about a potential dip in their ranking, Indiana University's football team appears to be holding steady in the College Football Playoff (CFP) race. Positioned at No. 5 prior to the weekend encounters, the Hoosiers faced significant pressure from behind, with Alabama, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M all eager to capitalize on a potential IU loss.

However, all three of these Southeastern Conference (SEC) powerhouses stumbled over the weekend, suffering their third defeats of the season, which threw their CFP aspirations into jeopardy. Alongside them, No. 14 BYU, No. 16 Colorado, and No. 19 Army also faltered, thus narrowing the field of teams that could leapfrog Indiana.

Furthermore, Indiana's defeat to Ohio State, while a setback, actually boosted their strength of schedule significantly. The Hoosiers' former adversaries, including Washington, Nebraska, and Michigan, notched crucial wins, advancing to 6-5 on the season. Consequently, IU's strength of schedule (SOS) ranking improved from 106 to 51, surpassing other at-large contenders such as Notre Dame, Penn State, SMU, and Miami.

Already, some national sports outlets have released updated CFP projections that still include the Hoosiers. For instance, NBC has placed IU as the No. 10 seed, squaring off against Penn State, while ESPN forecasts them as the No. 11 seed facing the same opponent.

With the new CFP rankings set to be unveiled on Tuesday evening, IU's future hinges on their performance in the upcoming match against Purdue. To cement their place in the postseason, the Hoosiers will need a convincing victory next weekend.

Follow us for comprehensive coverage of IU football and stay updated on the race to the CFP. The Hoosiers' journey continues, and every game is pivotal.