Indiana Hoosiers enter 2026 season as defending national champions

The Indiana Hoosiers enter the 2026 college football season as the defending national champions following a historic undefeated season. Under head coach Curt Cignetti, the program has undergone a massive cultural shift, moving from a historically struggling program to a dominant force in the Big Ten.

ESPN's Rece Davis described the program as the Big Ten's "apex predator," noting that despite being long considered an underdog, Indiana is now a primary target for opponents. However, the team faces significant challenges, including the loss of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. To maintain their momentum, Indiana has signed former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover through the transfer portal.

Regarding their upcoming schedule, Indiana has opted for a non-conference slate focused on quantity over quality, featuring matchups against North Texas, Western Kentucky, and Howard. This scheduling strategy has drawn scrutiny as some suggest it prioritizes a high win count to secure College Football Playoff positioning by avoiding difficult non-conference opponents.