There hasn't been a better story across college football than Indiana's stunning 8-0 start. First-year head coach Curt Cignetti has been masterful thus far, becoming the first team in 20 years to start 8-0 and never trail. Despite this red-hot beginning, the Indiana Hoosiers are far from guaranteed a spot in the first 12-team College Football Playoff.

It's not Indiana's fault, but with only seven at-large bids and the Big Ten boasting three other Playoff-caliber teams, someone might not make it. That means Indiana fans need to know who to root for and against entering college football's Week 10 action. 

Here are the top few games from this weekend that Indiana fans must watch as the Hoosiers look to push their way into the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff field.

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No. 4 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Penn State

Rooting Interest: Ohio State

Ohio State and Indiana face off in The Horseshoe on Nov. 23, and this will be a monumental game if the Hoosiers can win against Michigan State and Michigan over the next two weekends. Indiana should be undefeated entering the matchup, and a season-ending game against Purdue is another projected win. 

The best case for both Indiana and Ohio State is for the Buckeyes to win this weekend. Because Indiana does not face Penn State or Oregon, they can't afford a non-quality loss and still make the Playoff. There's still a solid chance Indiana would make the playoff if their only loss on the season is to a one-loss Ohio State team.

On the other hand, losing to a two-loss Buckeye team would put Indiana fourth in the conference and likely prevent them from making the Playoffs. I don't want to make it seem like it's a done deal. Indiana would even lose at Ohio State, but the Hoosiers would be a sure thing to make the Playoffs if they win out, so it's only worth exploring if they lose.

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Texas Tech vs. No. 11 Iowa State

Rooting Interest: Texas Tech

We're prepping for the worst case, which is that Indiana is sitting third in the Big Ten at the end of the season. While it's still possible for them to make the Playoffs if they finish behind Oregon and either Penn State or Ohio State, they'll need help. Our latest CFP projections have Indiana as the first team out.

Seeing the Big 12 lose a secondary contender to make the Playoffs would be helpful. BYU and Iowa State are on a collision course, and the No. 2 team might end the year only with a loss to the other. That would be a disastrous outcome for Indiana, so it's Guns Up this weekend for the Red Raiders.

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No. 18 Pittsburgh vs. No. 20 SMU

Rooting Interest: SMU

The ACC is a highly competitive landscape, with Clemson, Miami, SMU, and Pitt all vying for the opportunity to secure their automatic bid. Clemson holds a slim one-game advantage as we head into the weekend, but the outcomes of head-to-head matchups will ultimately decide which two teams advance to the conference championship. 

Indiana would benefit from one of the two undefeated teams, Pitt or Miami, losing a game soon. Clemson and SMU have already suffered an out-of-conference loss.