Indiana football faces uphill battle to repeat national championship

Following their 16-0 undefeated season and first-ever national championship in 2025, the Indiana Hoosiers enter the 2026 season as underdogs to repeat their success. Preseason polls and betting markets reflect a cautious outlook for head coach Curt Cignetti’s program.

According to DraftKings, Indiana holds the sixth-best odds to win the 2026 national championship at 9-1. They trail co-favorites Ohio State and Notre Dame, as well as Texas, Oregon, and Georgia. In the Big Ten, Indiana is ranked third in odds to win the conference, trailing Ohio State and Oregon.

An ESPN panel of 12 analysts reached a consensus that none of them would pick Indiana to repeat as national champions. While all 12 analysts project the Hoosiers to return to the College Football Playoff, most place them in the No. 5 to No. 8 seed range, meaning they would likely host a first-round game rather than receiving a bye.