Indiana State Football Claims First National Championship
Earlier this week, Indiana State football celebrated its inaugural national championship. This remarkable achievement raises a question: which program might be next to make a similar leap?
Urban Meyer, who previously guided Florida State and Ohio State to national titles, has suggested Rutgers as a prime candidate. Analysts from College Football Studio think the Scarlet Knights are in a solid position to become “the next Indiana.” It’s an intriguing thought—after all, what program might transform itself from underdog to champion?
Meyer asked, “Can you name three programs that could experience an Indiana-like resurgence? You know, a team historically accustomed to losing, struggling with a poor record, but somehow finds a way to rise and claim a national title?” He mentioned this on his podcast, “3 and Out,” alongside Mark Ingram II and Rob Stone.
The Hoosiers’ journey from one of college football’s least successful teams to prominence began last season when Curt Cinetti took charge in Bloomington, leading Indiana to its first playoff appearance. Although they lost in the first round to last year’s national champion, Notre Dame, this season has been a different story. Indiana outperformed Alabama in the Rose Bowl and overcame Oregon State in the semifinals.
This past Monday, the Hoosiers triumphed over Miami in the championship game, finishing the season with an impressive 16-0 record.
Meyer, who previously collaborated with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano at Ohio State, expressed his belief that the Scarlet Knights, along with Rice and Wake Forest, could experience a similar rise from mediocrity to excellence. He mentioned, “I may not know much about Rice or Wake Forest, but if Indiana can do it, there’s potential there.” He specifically highlighted Rutgers due to Schiano’s past successes as a coach.
In 2006, Rutgers started the season strong with a 9-0 record, climbing to No. 7 in the AP Top 25 before finishing the season with a Texas Bowl win and a final ranking of No. 12. However, in recent performances, Rutgers has struggled, ending the last season with a 5-7 record. Notably, the school holds a significant number of all-time losses in college football history, currently ranking third, while Indiana tops that unfortunate list.
Looking ahead, Rutgers and Indiana are set to face off in their 2026 matchup, making it an event worth keeping an eye on.
