Indiana football is ranked. A lot has changed since it was top 25-worthy

Matthew Glenesk | IndyStar

Show Caption Hide Caption IU Insider: Zach Osterman recaps win over Northwestern Indiana Hoosiers defeat the Northwestern Wildcats 34-3 on Nov. 2, 2019

It's been a while since Indiana football has been ranked. In fact, IU hasn't been ranked since Sept. 20, 1994.

Well, that changed this week — after a bye, no less. The Hoosiers are ranked in both the AP poll (24th) and Amway USA TODAY Coaches' poll (25th).

Just how long Indiana will be ranked will depend on this upcoming Saturday matchup against No. 11 Penn State, who are fresh off a loss to Minnesota.

IU's long-standing absence from the college football rankings was the longest of any Power 5 conference team. (Purdue now owns longest streak without being ranked — 2007. Go figure.)

IU's ranking drought shouldn't come as a surprise for a program that has more Division I losses than anyone else. But after a 34-3 demolition of Northwestern, the Hoosiers are 7-2 and have secured their first winning season since 2007 — with three games and a bowl left on the schedule. The 7-2 start is the best to an Indiana season since 1993.

And boy has a lot has changed since the last time the Hoosiers were Top 25-worthy.

No. 1 song on Billboard Hot 100: "I'll Make Love To You" by Boyz II Men

No. 2 song on Billboard Hot 100: "Stay" by Lisa Loeb

"The Shawshank Redemption" was released

Jean-Claude Van Damme's "Timecop" was No. 1 at the box office.

Freshman Peyton Manning was third string at the University of Tennessee and just completed his first collegiate pass in a 31-0 loss to Florida.

There was no baseball postseason or World Series because MLB players went on strike.

"Seinfeld" was No. 1 rated show.

Jim Harbaugh was in his first season as Indianapolis Colts' starting QB.

Gas costs $1.11 a gallon

IndyStar sports intern Tyler Kraft was still two years away from being born.