Curt Cignetti’s schedule critics may not have much left to complain about for long.
Indiana is actively working to add a Power 4 nonconference opponent for the 2027 season, according to a report from The Athletic. IU athletic director Scott Dolson told Scott Dochterman, “we are already in talks” about finding a new opponent from the Power 4 ranks.
Right now, Indiana’s 2027 nonconference slate includes Jacksonville State on Aug. 28, Kennesaw State on Sept. 4 and Indiana State on Sept.
- But the new 24-team College Football Playoff format is pushing Big Ten programs toward a tougher standard, and the requirement calls for every league team to play at least one nonconference game against a Power 4 opponent.
For Indiana, that would mean lining up a team from the SEC, ACC, Big 12 or Notre Dame.
The Hoosiers last played a Power 4 nonconference game in 2023, when they met Louisville at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indiana had previously scheduled Virginia for 2027, but that matchup was later dropped.
IU is one of four Big Ten programs now trying to add a Power 4 opponent for next year, along with Nebraska, Oregon and USC. In theory, there are 68 Power 4 teams when Notre Dame is included, so there should be enough options to go around. But The Athletic’s reporting notes that some exceptions are already being made, including Washington State being treated as a Power 4 game for Washington by the Big Ten, which could make the process messier.
The catch is that the other Power 4 conferences already require these games, which leaves most of those schools tied up for 2027.
Still, there are a few possible fits. Among non-Big Ten Power 4 teams without a Power 4 nonconference game scheduled in 2027 are Arizona, Kansas, TCU and Texas Tech.
Boston College and Georgia Tech each have multiple Power 4 nonconference games on the books and could be candidates to move one off their schedules. Teams like Cincinnati and Tennessee also appear likely to open up in that scenario.
In Other News...
Indiana Fan Who Missed $1 Million Kick Had A Wild Next Move
Jackson Stallings walked into a spotlight most college students never see, lining up two 33-yard field goals on ESPNs College GameDay with a million dollars on the line. The Indiana student came up short on both tries, turning what could have been a dream payday into a very public miss in front of a national audience, with Pat McAfee among those taking part in the buildup around the moment.
What happened next is what made the story travel even farther. Instead of letting the misses define the day, Stallings posted a viral LinkedIn message that framed the experience as a business lesson, an unusual pivot that fit the kind of attention this game-day scene can create around Indiana football. The backdrop only added to the buzz, with the Hoosiers matchup against Minnesota already giving the afternoon plenty of relevance beyond the kicks themselves. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Suddenly Has A Quarterback Problem It Cant Ignore
Indianas quarterback situation took an abrupt turn in the recent win over Minnesota, when Josh Hoover left early with an injury and did not return for the second half. Grant Wilson stepped in and helped guide the Hoosiers to victory, giving the staff a live look at how the offense functions with a different hand at the controls. For a team trying to keep momentum, it was the kind of midgame shift that can linger well beyond the final whistle.
Curt Cignetti later acknowledged that a quarterback change had been discussed, which only sharpened the spotlight on Hoovers status going forward. Even with the injury and the uneven play, Indiana stuck with its starter for the time being, but the decision now sits under a much brighter glare. The Hoosiers may have escaped Minnesota with a win, yet the bigger question is whether they can keep treating the position as settled. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Heads Into USC Week With One Huge Question Under Center
Indiana has survived back-to-back overtime games, but the way it has gotten there has left plenty to sort through during the bye week. The Hoosiers have not been able to put teams away in regulation, and Josh Hoovers shoulder injury has clearly affected his play, forcing the offense to lean on a different look at quarterback when it mattered most.
Grant Wilsons role in the latest win only sharpened the conversation about who should be under center when USC comes to Memorial Stadium in Bloomington. With a week off before that matchup, Indiana has time to evaluate its options, but the biggest question facing the Hoosiers is still the one at quarterback. [Read more 🡒]