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Shocking team becomes first to clinch bowl eligibility in 2024
By Paul Harvey
Published:
College football in 2024 is a sport full of surprises. Just ask Vanderbilt and Alabama with the Commodores carving out their first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team Saturday night.
However, that win by Vandy was not the only surprise of the night. Indiana registered a 41-24 win over Northwestern in the afternoon, and in the process, the Hoosiers became the first 6-0 team in FBS.
That means Indiana (yes, that Indiana) is the first team in the country to punch a ticket to the postseason.
Based on the early-season results (and a few scheduling quirks), only a few teams had a chance to reach the 6-0 mark in Week 6. Miami will get a chance to join the Hoosiers at 6-0 in a late-night game against Cal.
Traditionally, a 6-0 start for IU would result in some fluky claims, but make no mistake about it. Curt Cignetti is changing the culture in Bloomington in a very real way.
Entering the weekend, Indiana was tied for 3rd in the entire country with 48.8 points per game offensively. The Hoosiers have scored at least 31 points in every game this season, and they have now scored 41+ in 5 straight games.
Historically speaking, Indiana has just one other 6-0 start in program history. That came all the way back in 1967 when the Hoosiers would finish 9-2 overall with a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl appearance.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
