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Indiana Football: Hoosiers climb into ESPN FPI preseason top 25

By Adam Childs

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 30: Whop Philyor #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 30, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - NOVEMBER 30: Whop Philyor #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs the ball during the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium on November 30, 2019 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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The Indiana football team is ranked inside the top 25 in ESPN’s most recent preseason top 25, coming in at number 23.

The Hoosiers find themselves ranked in the latest ESPN FPI preseason top 25. They find themselves at number 23, a couple of spots ahead of fellow Big Ten team Northwestern and just four spots behind Michigan.

The article mentions the huge opportunity the Hoosiers have early when they play Wisconsin to open the year.

"247Sports take: The most widespread changes in ESPN’s post-spring FPI update includes this group of six teams just inside the Top 25, replacing programs like Nebraska, Minnesota, Florida State and Tennessee. Potentially the most intriguing of this bunch is Indiana and Louisville, two teams with opportunities early at making noise nationally. With play-making quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the Hoosiers take on Wisconsin in the season opener, a barometer game for both schools. Louisville made significant strides to climb from the ACC Atlantic’s cellar during Scott Satterfield’s first campaign and travels to Clemson in Week 2."

The Hoosiers have an explosive offense coming back led by Michael Penix Jr.at quarterback and maybe the best receiver in the conference in Whop Philyor. Add in Stevie Scott at running back and they have one of the best trios in the Big Ten.

Indiana is in a prove-it year after a great year in 2019. Can they build off their success, or will they wilt under the pressure?

This is a place that the Indiana football team has rarely been in and it will be interesting to see how they deal with success. The Hoosiers were ranked for one week last year, but it was short-lived.

If the Hoosiers can pick up a win at Wisconsin in week one they could see themselves in the top 25 for an extended period of time. They have the offense to compete in the Big Ten, but will the defense improve enough to keep them in games?

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Obviously preseason polls mean little to nothing, but it is great to see the Hoosiers get recognized for a great year last year and the talent they have returning this year. Indiana fans are trying to be cautiously optimistic but it is hard to overlook the fact that the Hoosiers have the best chance in a long time to make some noise.

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