### Indiana's College Football Playoff Hopes Dim After Defeat by Buckeyes

A significant setback was dealt to Indiana's postseason aspirations as they suffered a crushing 38-15 loss against No. 2 Ohio State. Despite high expectations for Curt Cignetti's fifth-ranked Hoosiers to prove their status as a Big Ten powerhouse, the game on Saturday revealed a different narrative.

Heading into the matchup, Indiana's capacity to compete at the highest level was subject to scrutiny. Unfortunately, the outcome left no room for doubt with Ohio State's defense limiting Indiana to just 151 yards of total offense, the lowest figure the Buckeyes have allowed against a ranked foe in 17 years. A significant portion of those yards, precisely 75, came during the final minutes of the game in what could be considered inconsequential play.

The lopsided result also secured Ohio State its largest margin of victory against a top-five opponent since 2000. Despite this defeat, Indiana's impressive season remains noteworthy. Entering the contest, the team boasted the No. 6 strength of record according to ESPN's FPI metric, reflecting a résumé fit for a College Football Playoff contender. The Hoosiers' early-season dominance was evident by their average winning margin of 30.1 points across their initial ten victories.

However, a critical examination reveals that none of those victories were against ranked teams, and only one was over an FBS opponent with a winning record. While they navigated their schedule successfully, Indiana faltered in a crucial moment, failing to display the competitiveness required to secure their playoff status unequivocally.

Looking ahead, Indiana's path to the College Football Playoff hinges on concluding the season with an 11-1 record. Securing a win against their in-state rival, Purdue, appears achievable given the Boilermakers' 1-10 record and poor performance against top-10 teams, being outscored 195-17 in four such games. Yet, this victory alone might not suffice to impress the selection committee.

The Hoosiers must then hope for favorable evaluations against other potential at-large teams, particularly as the SEC holds a crowded top-tier with several teams eyeing playoff spots. Notably, three of the SEC's current top-10 teams already have two losses each, which could impact Indiana's comparative standing.

Indiana's College Football Playoff hopes now rest in the hands of various scenarios and the judgment of the selection committee, making their final game and other national outcomes pivotal.