Jimbo Fisher is backing Indiana to be included in the College Football Playoff if the Hoosiers finish the regular season with an 11-1 record.

IU is currently 10-0 and will be idle in Week 12 ahead of its trip to Ohio State in Week 13. Indiana will likely be a big underdog in that matchup against the Buckeyes, but Fisher argues that the result of that game shouldn’t matter as long as Indiana finishes the season with 1 loss.

“A 1-loss Indiana team better be in the Playoff,” Fisher said on SiriusXM Radio on Wednesday with Jacob Hester and EJ Manuel. “I’m telling you that right now.”

Fisher also said a (hypothetical) 1-loss BYU team also deserves to be in the field. Fisher was dismissive of the idea that a 3-loss team from the SEC would be more deserving than Indiana or BYU.

“I think Indiana has been the most consistent team in the country,” Fisher said. “How they’ve been coached, how they’ve played … I see ESPN now is prepping for trying to get 3-loss teams in, I don’t want to get into that, man.

“If [Indiana and BYU) only lose 1 game, both of them, they both better be in.”

Here’s Fisher’s full thoughts on Indiana’s rise under Curt Cigenetti in 2024:

The College Football Playoff selection committee did push Indiana up to No. 5 overall this week following its win over Michigan in Week 11. However, it remains unclear whether or not the Hoosiers would be able to earn a berth in the 12-team field if they don’t beat Ohio State in Week 13.