Indiana Hoosiers football program status

The Indiana Hoosiers enter the 2026 college football season as the defending national champions following an undefeated season under head coach Curt Cignetti. The program has transitioned from a struggling team to a dominant force in the Big Ten, with ESPN's Rece Davis describing them as the conference’s “apex predator.”

To maintain their status, the team is managing a transition at the quarterback position. Following the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who was selected first overall in the NFL Draft, the program has signed former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover through the transfer portal. Hoover, who brings over 9,000 career passing yards, is expected to make his debut on September 5 against North Texas. While analysts note his ability to make quick decisions, they are also monitoring his turnover rate.

Indiana’s non-conference schedule, which includes matchups against North Texas, Western Kentucky, and Howard, has faced scrutiny from those suggesting the team is prioritizing a high win count to secure College Football Playoff positioning.