Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2021 college football season

Had the Big Ten stuck by its COVID-19 protocols set at the start of the season, Indiana rather than Ohio State would have played for the conference crown. Of course, COVID-19 cases on the Hoosiers roster would have prevented them from actually reaching Indianapolis, but that is beside the point. After a year where Indiana was snubbed for a New Year’s Six berth, look for them to get right back into the AP Top 25 when the voters release their preseason poll in August.

Getting back Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback after an injury cut his 2020 season short will provide a huge boost to the Indiana offense. While Whop Philyor will be gone at receiver, almost everyone else returns to Bloomington on both sides of the ball. The only loss on defense is defensive tackle Jerome Johnson, which bodes well for a unit that finished as the top red zone defense in the country in 2020 and ranked in the top 20 in points allowed.

The Hoosiers head to Iowa to open their season with a conference game. They also face a tough out-of-conference test against American Athletic Conference champion Cincinnati, a team that will be intent on making a statement for the College Football Playoff committee. Ohio State comes to Indiana this year, as does Michigan. While perfection will be tough to achieve, getting to nine wins for the first time since 1967 is well within reach for the Hoosiers.