The preseason AP Top-25 is out, and Indiana’s 2026-27 slate is already shaping up as a serious test. The Hoosiers don’t crack the early rankings themselves, which fits a roster that looks almost completely rebuilt after last season’s 18-14 finish and NCAA Tournament miss in Darian DeVries’ first year in Bloomington.
What Indiana does have is a schedule loaded with ranked opponents. When the Cream and Crimson get into both non-conference play and the Big Ten grind, there are plenty of top teams waiting. In all, Indiana will see seven preseason Top-25 teams this season, plus five more opponents that got votes.
The non-conference portion brings two marquee showdowns right away. Indiana will face No.
12 Arkansas on Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY.
A few days later, the Hoosiers meet No. 23 Kentucky on Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.
ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Missouri, which is receiving votes, also visits Assembly Hall on Friday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
ET.
The Big Ten schedule isn’t any kinder. Indiana gets No.
21 USC on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. ET in Bloomington, followed by No.
16 Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 1 p.m. ET at Assembly Hall.
No. 3 Illinois comes to Bloomington on Sunday, Jan. 24 at Noon ET, and No.
22 UCLA visits on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Noon ET. The Hoosiers also host No.
6 Michigan State on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. ET.
Beyond those ranked teams, Indiana also draws several others that landed just outside the Top-25. Nebraska visits Purdue on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2:30/6/8 p.m.
ET at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, NE. Purdue is on the schedule twice, with the first meeting set for Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
ET at Assembly Hall and the rematch on Friday, March 5 at 8 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN.
Ohio State comes to Bloomington on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3:45 p.m. ET, and Iowa hosts Indiana on Monday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
ET at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA.
One key detail for Indiana: five of the seven preseason Top-25 matchups are at Assembly Hall. The other two are on neutral courts, so the Hoosiers won’t have a true road game against a preseason ranked opponent.
Last season, Indiana had a tough time against elite competition, finishing 1-7 versus Top-25 teams. The lone victory came on Jan. 27, when the Hoosiers beat Purdue 72-67 in West Lafayette.
The new season opens on Monday, Nov. 2, when Indiana hosts Eastern Michigan.
In Other News...
Indiana Fans Just Got A Bigger Reason To Watch Josh Hoover
Josh Hoovers rise to the top of the Big Ten quarterback rankings adds another layer to a conference race that has already been thinned by injuries and uneven play. With the rankings pared down from eight quarterbacks to five, Hoover now sits ahead of a group that still includes Purdues Ryan Browne, whose recent performance was enough to push him into the top five despite a loss, along with Northwesterns Hunter Maiava and Nebraskas Jeff Colandrea.
For Indiana fans, Hoovers new standing gives them an even clearer reason to keep an eye on him as Week 8 approaches. The competition around him has shifted quickly, especially after Ohio States Julian Sayin was injured, and the latest shuffle underscores how much the Big Tens quarterback picture has changed in a short span. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Now Faces A New Michigan Wrinkle At Quarterback
Freshman Tommy Carr is suddenly the quarterback Indiana has to prepare for, and the change gives Michigan a different look heading into the matchup. After Bryce Underwood was benched because of accuracy issues and turnovers during his starts, Carr stepped in and helped spark a comeback win over Penn State, giving the Wolverines a reason to believe the offense can settle down.
For Indiana, the wrinkle is less about a mystery and more about adjusting to a new version of the same opponent on short notice. Carrs passing output was modest, but he also delivered a key rushing touchdown, and Michigan is hoping the switch leads to a more consistent operation under center. The Hoosiers now have to plan for a quarterback making his first real run at the job, which can change both the rhythm and the run-pass balance of the game. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Respect For Indiana Just Raised The Stakes In Ann Arbor
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham spent part of his pregame availability giving Indiana a level of respect that usually tells you plenty about the matchup before anyone takes the field. He pointed to Curt Cignettis team as a balanced, veteran group that takes care of the ball, the kind of profile that tends to travel well and force opponents to stay sharp from the opening snap.
The other wrinkle is on Michigans side, where Whittingham said the Wolverines will turn to freshman quarterback Tommy Carr against Indiana. His mobility and efficiency were part of the rationale, but it also adds another layer to a game already carrying more intrigue because of what Indiana has built. When a conference opponent talks this carefully about your strengths, it usually means the margin for error gets a lot thinner in Ann Arbor. [Read more 🡒]