No. 2 Indiana Hosts UCLA in CFP Test

Indiana, ranked No. 2 and 7–0 under coach Curt Cignetti, has been revitalized this season behind QB Fernando Mendoza and will host UCLA in Bloomington on Saturday in FOX’s national Big Noon window. UCLA has surged after upsetting Penn State and edging Maryland, riding a three-game winning streak behind QB Nico Iamaleava, who has been pivotal despite occasional turnovers, and is now 3–4 (3–1 Big Ten) as an underdog in Bloomington. The matchup is being framed as a litmus test for whether UCLA can realistically chase a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth. Analysts say UCLA’s remaining schedule is among the nation’s toughest and that the Bruins would likely need to win out — including key tiebreakers — to maintain a CFP path. Observers note that remaining conference slates and committee perceptions will shape playoff and coaching narratives as CFP rankings approach in early November.