The Hoosiers look to follow a 16-0 season with a roster containing a variety of notable returners, including junior wide receiver Charlie Becker, redshirt senior offensive lineman Carter Smith and redshirt senior defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker.
Head coach Curt Cignetti also brought in 17 transfers to replace lost production from graduated and drafted players.
The Hoosiers’ 2026 schedule features four preseason top 25 opponents, including a Big Ten Championship rematch against Ohio State and a trip to the “Big House” to face Michigan in Ann Arbor.
The Indiana Daily Student’s two football reporters and columnist predicted all 12 matchups of the 2026 regular season.
Sept. 5 vs. North Texas
Banks’ prediction: IU 38 – UNT 10
Shriberg's prediction: IU 45 – UNT 10
Anela's prediction: IU 42 – UNT 7
The Mean Green came out of nowhere in 2025 to lead the FBS in total offense. However, the catalysts of that rise are no longer in the building. Former head coach Eric Morris left for Oklahoma State University, taking North Texas' FBS-leading passer Drew Mestemaker with him. Morris also brought star running back Caleb Hawkins and star wide receiver Wyatt Young to Oklahoma State. Last season's magic won't help against Indiana, and the Hoosiers will spoil Tayven Jackson's return to Bloomington.
Sept. 12 vs. Howard University
Banks: IU 62 – HU 7
Shriberg: IU 55 – HU 3
Anela: IU 66 – HU 7
Hoosier the Bison parachuted onto the Indiana Athletics scene last year at Memorial Stadium. It's safe to say his entrance will remain the best moment for a Bison on Merchants Bank Field, despite Howard’s best attempts during Week 2. The Cream and Crimson will dispatch their lone FCS opponent comfortably.
Sept. 19 vs. Western Kentucky University
Banks: IU 45 – WKU 13
Shriberg: IU 49 – WKU 6
Anela: IU 42 – WKU 7
Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton has guided his group to eight or more wins every season (aside from the pandemic-shortened season in 2020). But Western Kentucky has a brutal schedule to begin the season. The Hilltoppers play at the preseason No. 3 University of Georgia the week before it heads to Bloomington. Indiana should run away with this contest in blowout fashion.
Sept. 25 vs. Northwestern
Banks: IU 38 – NW 10
Shriberg: IU 41 – NW 13
Anela: IU 31 – NW 10
Northwestern’s coaching staff includes the addition of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and it picked up former Michigan State and Oregon State University senior quarterback Aidan Chiles in the portal. Yet it feels unlikely the Wildcats will succeed against Indiana’s defense. The Hoosiers’ run game should lead the way against a below average Wildcats front four.
Oct. 3 at Rutgers
Banks: IU 41 – RUT 13
Shriberg: IU 49 – RUT 10
Anela: IU 34 – RUT 14
Rutgers was one of the worst defensive teams in the Big Ten last season. The Scarlet Knights surrendered 31.8 points per game –– tied for the second-highest mark in the conference. Rutgers Athletics announced a “blackout” theme and pregame fireworks in celebration of Homecoming when Indiana visits Piscataway, New Jersey. The Hoosiers’ fireworks on the field will spoil the festivities.
Oct. 10 at Nebraska
Banks: IU 31 – NEB 14
Shriberg: IU 34 – NEB 17
Anela: IU 27 – NEB 21
After finishing 7-6 last season, Nebraska underwent changes in some key positions. Head coach Matt Rhule brought in former University of Nevada, Las Vegas quarterback Anthony Colandrea to replace Dylan Raiola, who transferred to Oregon. The program also brought in defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to lead a defensive unit that struggled in the latter half of 2025. But the talent disparity will be too much for the Cornhuskers to overcome.
Oct. 17 vs. Ohio State
Banks: IU 17 – OSU 13
Shriberg: IU 24 – OSU 21
Anela: OSU 20 – IU 14
This is the marquee game of Indiana’s schedule. The Hoosiers defeated Ohio State 13-10 in last year’s Big Ten Championship game to claim the No. 1 seed heading into the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will undoubtedly enter this rematch with a chip on their shoulder. Ohio State retains much of last season’s offensive core, including junior quarterback Julian Sayin and junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. But, it’s difficult to see Indiana losing at home –– something it has not done in the Curt Cignetti era.
Oct. 24 at Michigan
Banks: MICH 20 – IU 13
Shriberg: IU 31 – MICH 9
Anela: IU 28 – MICH 17
One week after a likely top five matchup against Ohio State, Indiana will travel to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to compete against the Wolverines in the “Big House” –– one of the loudest stadiums in the country. In a 2025 season where it was difficult to critique the Hoosiers’ play, the team did face some troubles on the road at Iowa and Penn State. Indiana has the experienced roster to win this game, but the road atmosphere could cause trouble.
Oct. 31 vs. Minnesota
Banks: IU 42 – MIN 17
Shriberg: IU 38 – MIN 14
Anela: IU 31 – MIN 21
While the Golden Gophers were ranked outside the Associated Press’ preseason top 25, they return redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey and senior running back Darius Taylor. Led by redshirt senior defensive lineman Anthony Smith, Minnesota’s pass rush is talented this year as well, but questions loom in its secondary. If Indiana's passing game is clicking, the Hoosiers will avoid the upset at home.
Nov. 14 vs. USC
Banks: IU 30 – USC 21
Shriberg: IU 27 – USC 21
Anela: IU 23 – USC 20
The Trojans are coming off an underrated 2025 season and a crushing loss at the summer box office. Excluding the Alamo Bowl, USC only fell to Illinois, Oregon and the University of Notre Dame. Head coach Lincoln Riley has a rich history of quarterback development — Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and Caleb Williams — and the Trojans have improved the trenches in front of returning redshirt senior quarterback Jayden Maiava. USC will challenge Indiana, but the Hoosiers hold them off at home.
Nov. 21 at Washington
Banks: IU 24 – WAS 20
Shriberg: IU 30 – WAS 27
Anela: WAS 31 – IU 24
Last year, Washington’s defense forced 1.5 turnovers per game, tied for the third-best mark in the Big Ten. If Indiana wants to escape with a win, redshirt senior quarterback Josh Hoover can't afford to turn the ball over – a concern at Texas Christian University, where he threw 33 interceptions in three full seasons.
Nov. 28 vs. Purdue
Banks: IU 58 – PU 10
Shriberg: IU 55 – PU 7
Anela: IU 63 – PU 6
Does this really need explaining? Purdue has had 21 losses in the past two years, which is more than Curt Cignetti has had during his nine seasons as a head coach at the NCAA Division I level. While the Boilermakers should improve this year, the Old Oaken Bucket will remain in Bloomington, and it won't be close.
Game to watch:
Banks: vs Ohio State
Yes, I predicted Michigan to beat Indiana, which would automatically constitute a must-watch. However, there will be no games on the Hoosiers’ schedule with the anticipation of the Ohio State matchup. With two teams likely to be top five in the country and a packed Memorial Stadium, what more could you want?
Shriberg: at Michigan
It's no secret the Ohio State game is the marquee matchup of the Hoosiers' season. But whether they leave unscathed or not, how the Hoosiers follow it up is arguably more important. No matter the record of either team, Indiana will face a physical defense amid a raucous crowd of over 100,000 people at the “Big House.” How the Hoosiers exit their toughest two-game stretch of the year will shape the final four games of their season.
Anela: at Washington
The Hoosiers’ schedule doesn’t get easier down the stretch. After Ohio State, Michigan and Minnesota, Indiana has its bye. But then it jumps right back into action against USC at home before playing Nov. 21 against Washington in Seattle. The last contest in this five-game, six-week stretch might be the toughest, with the Huskies having reloaded after a 9-4 season last year, while holding a 31-9 home record since 2021.
Record prediction:
Banks: 11-1
I thought my 11-1 projection last year was ambitious. Turns out, it wasn’t ambitious enough. But, with some roster shakeup in the offseason, I struggle to see the Hoosiers repeat regular season perfection. With one loss, Indiana will find its way back to the Big Ten Championship Game and be one of the top seeds in the College Football Playoff.
Shriberg: 12-0
A year ago, I wouldn't have predicted the Hoosiers' run to the national title. It's a mistake I'm not interested in repeating. With a roster full of talent, veteran leadership and eager newcomers, Indiana is just as equipped to win as it was in 2025. And I see no reason to doubt Curt Cignetti and his staff again.
Anela: 10-2
Similar to last year, Indiana has a light non-conference schedule followed by a string of tough opponents in Big Ten play during the middle of the season. While the overall roster is arguably more talented, there’s a lack of depth compared to last year’s edition. Despite losing two games in the regular season, I project the Hoosiers will be anywhere from a 6-10 seed in the College Football Playoff as they fall short of playing in the Big Ten Championship game.
Follow reporters Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and Nathan Shriberg (@NShriberg and naashri@iu.edu) and columnist Elakai Anela (@elakai_anela and eanela@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
