Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) reacts after running back Roman Hemby scored a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Indiana isn’t the only up-and-comer that has elbowed its way into the national conversation alongside college football’s perennial powers this season.

The Hoosiers are just the most fascinating story.

Texas A&M, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, BYU, Texas Tech and Virginia all appeared in the top 15 of the rankings released on Oct. 26.

Of that group, only Texas A&M and Texas Tech were ranked in the preseason poll — at No. 19 and No. 23, respectively.

So, how to explain the metamorphosis of these programs?

The universal playbook for success calls for effective utilization of the transfer portal and judicious management of financial resources.

Separation from the masses requires application of a coaching philosophy and competitive strategy that are both transcendent.

For instruction on mastery of this method, see Cignetti, C.

The long-term contract presented to Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti a few weeks ago symbolized the university’s commitment to remain entrenched among the power players in college football for the foreseeable future.

The eight-year contract with an average annual compensation of approximately $11.6 million was announced four days after Penn State fired James Franklin.

It’s reasonable to assume that one action triggered the other.

“We are committed to investing in IU Football in such a way that we can compete at a championship level, and the No. 1 priority in doing that is ensuring that Coach Cignetti is the leader of our program,” IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson said. “His accomplishments during the last season and a half have been nothing short of remarkable. As much as anyone, he believed in what was possible with our program, and he’s turned that belief into reality.”

Under Cignetti, Indiana has won 20 of 22 games, advanced to the College Football Playoff and secured a No. 2 ranking in the AP Top 25 poll, the highest ranking in program history.

At 9-0, the Hoosiers have beaten five opponents by at least 45 points.

Of significance to the bean counters at IU, the football team sold out its final four Big Ten games in 2024 and the entire 2025 Big Ten Conference slate.

As the vast majority of FBS programs continue to run in place, regress or advance at a snail’s pace, Indiana has ascended at jet speed.

Reaching a cruising altitude doesn’t appear to be in Indiana’s plans.

Beep, beep, all chirpers

The Roadrunners of UTSA knocked Tulane from the ranks of the unbeatens in American Conference play, 48-26, and settled some scores in the process.

In postgame remarks, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor didn’t pull any punches when asked what he expected to see during film review of the game.

“A team that felt extremely disrespected,” he began. “A coach that said we basically been cheating the last six years, which disrespects everything we’ve done in this place for six years, in my opinion. A quarterback that for them that disrespected us unbelievable, mic’d up before the game. Some spoiled rotten media, some fair-weather fans. Shut ’em up for a week.

“But the loyal ones, the true ones that have been there since day one and always stayin’ there, that’s who we play for. Them chirping birds, we don’t really give a crap about, but it’s nice to shut ’em up for a week.”

UTSA (4-4, 2-2 American) has won 22 consecutive regular-season conference games at home since Traylor became head coach in 2020.

In the win over Tulane (6-2, 3-1 American), UTSA quarterback Owen McCown completed 31 of 33 pass attempts for 370 yards and four touchdowns.

Go figure

The presence of Pony Express alumni Eric Dickerson and Craig James provided inspiration but nothing in the way of production, as SMU rushed for minus-2 yards through four quarters against No. 10 Miami.

SMU flipped the script in overtime with six consecutive runs that covered 25 yards and netted the winning score in a 26-20 upset.

After quarterback Kevin Jennings rushed for 5 yards to start SMU’s overtime possession, T.J. Harden carried the ball five straight times for 20 yards, including a 1-yard TD scamper.

Crowning achievement

Already distinguished as the first USC walk-on to score a touchdown since 1994, freshman King Miller added to his celebrity by recording his second 100-yard rushing game of the season and scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 21-17 victory at Nebraska last Saturday.

In addition to the 6-yard touchdown run with 10:06 to play, Miller converted a 2-point rushing attempt that knotted the score at 14-14 in the third quarter.

Filling in for injured starters, Miller rushed for 158 yards against Michigan on Oct. 11. According to USC, the total is believed to be the highest produced by a USC walk-on since at least the early 1970s.

Notables

– A loss to Indiana on Saturday would extend Penn State’s in-season losing streak to six games, a mark of futility previously entered into the annals for the 1913, 1931, 2003 and 2004 seasons. The school record for consecutive losses in one season is seven in 1931.

– Victorious in six straight games, James Madison (7-1, 5-0 Sun Belt) has posted four consecutive second-half shutouts.

– With a win over UTEP in its last outing on Oct. 28, Kennesaw State (6-2, 4-0 Conference USA) became bowl eligible in its first season of full-fledged FBS membership.

– With a roster that includes

68 newcomers (second-most in FBS) and 42 transfers (also

second-most in FBS), North Texas is 8-1 after defeating previously undefeated Navy, 31-17.

– Duke’s 46-45 win at Clemson was its first road triumph in the series since 1980 and just its fifth since the founding of the ACC in 1953.

– After falling to USC, Nebraska has now lost 29 straight games against a ranked opponent.

– Ole Miss is 8-1 for the third time in six seasons under head coach Lane Kiffin.

Quotables

“Going extra innings at Death Valley isn’t really a good plan.”

— Duke head coach Manny Diaz after opting for an ultimately successful 2-point conversion with 40 seconds left in a 46-45 win at Clemson

“It’s difficult for Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers to win when you do that.”

— Houston coach Willie Fritz after three of his team’s four turnovers were converted into 17 points in a 45-35 upset loss to West Virginia

“One thing spirals into another and you’re down by 30 points, you know.”

— Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby after his 17th-ranked Bearcats were beaten by No. 24 Utah, 45-14

“This lawsuit arises in an era when money too often eclipses meaning and the pursuit of profit threatens to erase the very traditions that breathe life into institutions. Some commitments are too fundamental to be traded away.”

— Statement in a lawsuit brought by the city of Pasadena, California, and the Rose Bowl Operating Company against UCLA for allegedly trying to move UCLA home football games from the Rose Bowl to SoFi Stadium

Jim Caltagirone, a former member of Penn State’s sports information department, comments on the national scene for Gameday. He can be reached at jimclion4ever@gmail.com