Indiana University Football Stays at Number 2 in the College Football Playoff Rankings for the Fourth Week in a Row The fourth installment of the College Football Playoff rankings have the Indiana football program steady at No. 2 entering its regular season finale in the Old Oaken Bucket Game at Purdue. Indiana has now been among the teams in playoff consideration for 10-straight CFP polls dating back to 2024, all of those among the top 10. It is the 14th time in program history that IU has been among the contenders for a playoff spot. The Big Ten saw five schools ranked and three programs in the top 6 of the latest CFP rankings: Ohio State (No. 1), Indiana (No. 2), Oregon (No. 6), Michigan (No. 15) and USC (No. 17).
The 12 participating teams in the College Football Playoff will be the five conference champions ranked highest by the CFP selection committee, plus the next seven highest-ranked schools. The four highest-ranked schools will be seeded one through four and will receive a first-round bye. The remaining schools will be seeded 5-12 based on their final ranking. If any of the five highest-ranked conference champions falls outside of the top 12, they will be seeded at the bottom of the 12-team pool. The eight schools seeded No. 5-12 will play in the CFP First Round with the higher seeds hosting the lower seeds either on campus or at other sites designated by the higher-seeded institution (No. 12 at No. 5, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7 and No. 9 at No. 8.). No. 2/2/2 Indiana (11-0, 8-0 Big Ten) travel to Purdue (2-9, 0-8 Big Ten) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on NBC from Ross-Ade Stadium in the Old Oaken Bucket Game.
College Football Playoff Rankings – Nov. 25
1. Ohio State (11-0)
2. Indiana (11-0)
3. Texas A&M (11-0)
4. Georgia (10-1)
5. Texas Tech (10-1)
6. Oregon (10-1)
7. Ole Miss (10-1)
8. Oklahoma (9-2)
9. Notre Dame (9-2)
10. Alabama (9-2)
11. BYU (10-1)
12. Miami (Fla.) (9-2)
13. Utah (9-2)
14. Vanderbilt (9-2)
15. Michigan (9-2)
16. Texas (8-3)
17. USC (8-3)
18. Virginia (9-2)
19. Tennessee (8-3)
20. Arizona State (8-3)
21. SMU (8-3)
22. Pittsburgh (8-3)
23. Georgia Tech (9-2)
24. Tulane (9-2)
25. Arizona (8-3)
Curt Cignetti Gets a Second Bobblehead after the First One Sells Out IU football coach Curt Cignetti’s first bobblehead sold out quickly. Fortunately, for those still hoping to have the coach in bobblehead form, a second version is now available. The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum unveiled the latest miniature Cignetti, which features the coach in a signature pose with his hands on his side. He has a headset and a very Cignetti-esque scowl. Unlike the first version, it appears this one doesn’t talk. The bobblehead costs $40 plus $8 for shipping. It’s due to ship in May 2026. Presales are available now. This year, the Hoosiers are undefeated at 11-0 and can make the Big Ten Championship Game with a win over Purdue in the annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. They’re currently ranked No. 2 in this year’s CFP standings. The original bobblehead run was limited to 2,023 pieces and is expected to ship in March.
Taylor University Cross Country Coach Quinn White Ends Illustrious Coaching Career Quinn White’s final season at the helm of the Taylor cross country programs came to a close on November 22 with yet another NAIA National Championship, ending a historic 16-year run with the Trojans that produced a combined three team national titles and 14 Crossroads League Championships. “Coaching at my alma mater has been one of the greatest blessings of my life,” said White. “Taylor has given me so much and to have the chance to give back has been an honor beyond words. I am forever grateful to the administration for giving me the opportunity to coach while teaching, and to the athletes, parents and friends whose passion, support and love have shaped not only this program, but my heart. As I step into this next chapter, I do so with a heart overflowing with gratitude, joy and love. To God be the glory.”
White, who will remain in his role as a professor of education at Taylor, began his time with the Trojans as the women’s cross country head coach in 2010, before adding the same role with the men’s team in 2019. During his time with the Trojans, White collected a trio of NAIA National Coach-of-the-Year honors, 14 Crossroads League Coach-of-the-Year nods, the NAIA National Championships in 2020 (men’s), 2022 (women’s) and 2025 (women’s) and the two NAIA Cross Country Combined Championships in 2020 and 2025. White’s 16 years at the helm of the Maddawgs produced NAIA National Championships in 2022 and 2025, an active streak of 13-straight Crossroads League Championships dating back to 2013 and a head-to-head record of 1,661 wins to just 225 defeats. Additionally, the women’s cross-country squad has ascended to a No. 1 ranking in the NAIA in each of the last five seasons, posted 13-straight finishes inside the top 20 at NAIA Nationals, and logged nine-straight finishes inside the top six.
Along the way, White’s student-athletes raced to 27 NAIA All-American honors, 79 All-Crossroads League awards, six individual CL Championships and two individual NAIA Championships. White’s seven seasons with the Jarheads resulted in Taylor’s first-ever team NAIA National Championship, with the men’s team claiming the red banner in 2020. TU also secured a Crossroads League Championship the following year and posted a win-loss mark of 704 wins to 176 defeats. In that time, White guided the Purple and Gray to top-20 finishes at NAIA Nationals and top-three efforts at the Crossroads League Championships in each of his seven seasons.
In addition to those team accomplishments, White saw the Trojans pick up 14 NAIA All-American accolades and 25 All-Crossroads League awards during that time. White also served as an assistant coach for the Taylor men’s and women’s track and field teams during his time coaching at TU. In 16 seasons with the track program, White’s athletes combined for 118 NAIA All-American honors, 266 All-Crossroads League performances, 66 individual CL Championships and a host of new individual records in the distance events. “Quinn White has led both of our cross country programs with excellence throughout his incredible career,” reflected Taylor’s director of intercollegiate athletics Kyle Gould. “His success as a three-time national championship coach is matched only by his genuine love for and devotion to the athletes he has coached. We wish him, Julie and their entire family nothing but the very best as they enter this next chapter of their lives.”
Taylor Trojans Women’s Basketball Rack Up 114 Points to Extend Win Streak to Eight Taylor (8-0) remained unbeaten after coasting by Ohio Christian (1-7) on Tuesday evening inside Odle Arena by a final score of 114-50, marking the largest margin of victory under head coach Cassie Wiseman. Kaycie Warfel led four Trojans in double digits with a game-high 22 points on a crisp 9-of-11 shooting in 12 minutes. Celina Blount led the squad with seven rebounds, four steals and a pair of blocks. Whitney Warfel and Kendall Sietsema each poured in a season-high total with 15 and 12 points, respectively. Marissa Trout tied her career best with 10 points. All 12 Trojans that saw court action logged at least one made field goal.
With the win, TU extended its best start since 2019 and improved to 11-1 in home non-conference games under Wiseman. Tuesday’s victory also marked the highest single-game scoring total during the Wiseman era, topping TU’s 111-point effort during its home victory over RV Olivet Nazarene back on November 5. The Trojans started fast against the Trailblazers, racing out to a 24-0 lead midway through the first quarter and led 44-8 after shooting 66.7 percent (16-24) in the opening stanza. The Warfel sisters each tallied 11 points in the first period. TU’s lead swelled to 60-8 in the second quarter, before the Trojans entered the intermission break with a commanding 72-19 advantage to cruise the rest of the way. The lead swelled to as much as 65 points late in the contest.
Overall, the Trojans shot 55.3 percent from the field and finished a sparkling 13 for 13 at the free-throw line. TU controlled the glass with a 50-24 edge in rebounds and forced 26 turnovers. The Trojans turned the rock over a season-low nine times. OCU’s JoLeigh Hamilton led the visitors with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Caris Risner chipped in with 12 points. The Trailblazers shot 27.6 percent overall from the field. TU will return to league action on Wednesday, December 3, when it travels to Bethel.
Ben Davis High School Football Coach Russ Mann steps down Ben Davis High School football head coach Russ Mann has resigned. He had been the Giants’ head coach since the 2023 season. Mann said the administration at Ben Davis told him that it wanted to move in a different direction. Mann went 21-14 overall during his time as Ben Davis head coach. He won the IHSAA 6A State Championship Game in his first season as head coach back in 2023 when his Giants beat Crown Point 38-10 in the title game. In his second season (2024) with the Giants, he led the program to a 5-6 overall record. Their season ended in the sectional championship round of the 6A tournament when they lost to eventual state champion Brownsburg 38-35. Ben Davis two-way player Mark Zackery IV was named 2024 Indiana Mr. Football during Mann’s second season. This past season (2025), the Giants finished with a 3-7 overall record with a young roster. Ben Davis is one of the most successful football programs in Indiana, winning 10 state championships in its history.
WTHR TV and Pacers Sports and Entertainment Partner to Broadcast 11 Indiana Pacers Games for free over the air in Indianapolis The Indiana Pacers, WTHR Channel 13 and WALV announced a partnership to air 11 Indiana Pacers games for free over the air. The games began with the matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. “With the continued support of FanDuel Sports Network, TEGNA, WTHR and WALV, we’re excited to bring more options for fans to watch Pacer’s basketball,” PS&E CEO Mel Raines said. “This partnership will help us expand opportunities for fans to follow the team, stay connected and feel part of the action.” “Delivering live, local sports that bring our communities together is at the heart of what we do,” president and general manager of WTHR and WALV Brent Denny said. “We’re proud to continue to partner with the Pacers to make these games accessible to fans across central Indiana.”
The 11 games on WTHR and WALV are as follows: Wednesday, Nov. 26 — 7:30 p.m. at Toronto Raptors – WALV Friday, Dec. 5 — 8 p.m. vs. Chicago Bulls – WALV Thursday, Dec. 18 — 7 p.m. vs. New York Knicks – WALV Saturday, Dec. 20 — 7 p.m. at New Orleans Pelicans – WALV Friday, Jan. 16 — 7 p.m. vs. New Orleans Pelicans – WTHR Wednesday, Jan. 21 — 7:30 p.m. at Boston Celtics – WTHR Saturday, Jan. 31 — 7 p.m. vs. Atlanta Hawks – WTHR Friday, March 6 — 10:30 p.m. at Los Angeles Lakers – WTHR Thursday, March 12 — 7 p.m. vs. Phoenix Suns – WTHR Wednesday, March 25 — 7 p.m. vs. Los Angeles Lakers – WTHR Wednesday, April 1 — 8 p.m. at Chicago Bulls-WTHR