Indiana’s strength of schedule makes CFP ranking a farce

The College Football Playoff rankings set the Indiana Hoosiers as the fifth best team in the country. After considering one ESPN metric that measures strength of schedule, it's fair to say that the committee is making a joke of itself by ranking the program that high.

According to ESPN's strength of schedule metric, Indiana has the 106th ranked schedule out of 136 schools.

The Hoosiers are having arguably the best season in program history under first-year coach Curt Cignetti. Transfer QB Kurtis Rourke has dazzled the country with an out of the water season throwing for 2,410 yards and 21 TDs.

While these rankings will likely change in the next couple of weeks, as of the current rankings, Cignetti's squad is set to face off against Ole Miss in a first round home game where the winner would advance to play against Texas, who leads the SEC title at this moment.

Indiana's strength of schedule should put them lower in the CFP rankings

Although Indiana has had a season to remember, they haven't played any above average schools. Their best win came against a barely bowl eligible Washington.

Hoosiers are set for what is shaping to be the most important in program history as they face off against Ohio State in a top-five matchup on Saturday. The winner will be in great shape to reach the Big Ten Championship Game.

Even if the Hoosiers are unable to beat the Buckeyes this week, the program has a great shot at getting 11 wins on the season by beating a one-win Purdue squad in their last game of the season. As the Hoosiers get ready for the most important game in the history of their program, it's important to remember that ranking them so high is a tad embarrassing with the weak schedule they have had this season.

Yes, an Indiana certainly deserves a spot in the playoff considering the team will likely win 11 or more games this season. A 12-team playoff is designed to let teams like Indiana into the dance. Still, Cigentti's squad likely got this spot in the ranking based on the committee not wanting to a two-loss Alabama and one-loss Notre Dame ahead of them.