A Milestone Ranking
Indiana University (IU) captured the No. 6 spot in the 2026 AP preseason football poll, the highest starting position ever for the Hoosiers. The ranking comes after the team completed a flawless season and secured its first national championship, a feat that has elevated expectations across the program.
The poll places five traditional powerhouses ahead of IU: Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas. Those programs collectively dominate the preseason landscape, setting a formidable benchmark for the Hoosiers.
IU’s schedule reflects that challenge. The team will open the season at home against North Texas on September 5, then travel to face No. 1 Ohio State on October 17, meet No. 16 Michigan on October 24, and later contend with No. 17 Washington on November 21. Additional matchups include No. 14 USC and a clash with No. 2 Oregon, though the latter is not on the official slate.
A Road of Tests
The upcoming slate not only tests IU’s depth but also offers a platform to prove that a championship pedigree can translate into sustained excellence. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as the Hoosiers aim to break into the top five and perhaps rewrite the narrative of a program on the rise.