Indiana Hoosiers 2026 Preview: The Team That Beat Iowa

The Indiana Hoosiers enter the 2026 college football season as the defending national champions after completing a perfect 16-0 record in 2025. Head coach Curt Cignetti led the program to its first national title, a run that included a narrow victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite losing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza and several key players to the NFL Draft, Indiana reloads through the transfer portal and remains a top five team nationally.

How did Indiana football beat Iowa in 2025?

Iowa fans will remember the 2025 Hoosiers well. Indiana climbed to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 after a hard-fought five-point win against the Hawkeyes. That victory proved to be a crucial stepping stone for a team that many initially doubted. Cignetti turned a historically struggling program into a powerhouse in just two seasons, marking one of the most impressive turnarounds in sports history.

After beating Iowa, Indiana kept rolling. They went into Autzen Stadium and defeated Oregon 30-20 to become No. 3 in the nation. The defining moment of their regular season came against Penn State. Down by four points with under seven minutes remaining, the Hoosiers faced adversity. Fernando Mendoza drove the team 80 yards in 10 plays, capping it off with a clutch catch by Omar Cooper Jr. to secure the win.

Indiana finished the regular season 12-0, setting up a Big Ten Championship showdown with Ohio State. The Hoosiers won a defensive battle 13-10 to claim the conference title. They then dominated the College Football Playoff, blowing out Alabama 38-3 and dismantling Oregon 56-22. In the national championship game against Miami, Indiana secured a 27-21 victory after Jamari Sharpe intercepted Carson Beck in the final minutes. Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy, cementing the 2025 season in history.

What does the Indiana offense look like in 2026?

The biggest departure is obvious. Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Six offensive starters from the title team are gone. However, Cignetti has proven to be one of the best coaches in the nation at using the transfer portal, even with a lower budget than traditional powerhouses.

Former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover takes over the offense. In 2025, Hoover threw for 3,472 yards and 29 touchdowns. While he did throw 13 interceptions, his gunslinger mentality fits Cignetti's system well. If Cignetti could turn Mendoza into a Heisman winner, Hoover has the potential to be a star.

The running back room lost Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black to the NFL. Khobie Martin returns after rushing for over 500 yards and six touchdowns. Boston College transfer Turbo Richard joins the backfield after rushing for 749 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

The offensive line remains a major strength. Consensus All-American Carter Smith might be the best left tackle in the country. Left guard Drew Evans and right guard Bray Lynch return with plenty of experience. Wisconsin transfer Joe Brunner adds depth and could start at center.

At wide receiver, Charlie Becker returns after emerging as the top target during the CFP. ESPN ranked Becker as the fourth-best receiver in the country. He will pair with Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh, who was ranked fifth. The tight end position is a question mark following the departures of Riley Nowakowski and Holden Staes, but Miami transfer Brock Schott will get the first shot at starting.

Can the Indiana defense remain elite?

In 2025, Indiana's defense allowed just 11.07 points per game, ranking second in the FBS behind only Ohio State. Cornerback D'Angelo Ponds and linebacker Aiden Fisher were drafted, but the 2026 unit could actually be better.

On the defensive line, Indiana lost edge rushers Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt. The coaching staff countered by bringing in Tobi Osunsanmi and Chiddi Obiazor from Kansas State, plus Josh Burnham from Notre Dame. Daniel Ndukwe also returns after a strong playoff run. Inside, Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino are back. Tucker recorded 12 tackles-for-loss last year, making this interior duo one of the best in the Big Ten.

The secondary returns safety Amare Ferrell and cornerback Jamari Sharpe, both of whom made game-changing plays last season. Penn State transfer AJ Harris will likely start at corner opposite Sharpe. Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman also joins the roster to provide depth and versatility. At linebacker, Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones return after strong seasons, softening the blow of losing Fisher.

Will Indiana football repeat as national champions?

Repeating as national champions is never easy, especially with a new quarterback and heavy NFL turnover. However, the 2026 SP+ rankings place Indiana fifth overall, with the ninth-ranked offense and sixth-ranked defense. Cignetti has built a culture of accountability and excellence. He has shown he can replace star power with immediate production through the portal. As long as the offensive line holds up and Hoover adapts quickly, the Hoosiers will be a nightmare for any team on their schedule, including any future Big Ten opponents from Iowa City.