When you're in the bowl-projection business, it is essential to balance two competing instincts: the instinct to project the bowl schedule as it would look now, and the instinct to project the bowl schedule as it is likely to look after the season.

The No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers were not on the radar heading into the season, but they have established themselves as national championship contenders heading into their matchup against the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday during the Week 13 college football schedule.