College football is back, and Indiana gets the national stage right away.
The No. 6 Hoosiers open the 2026 season Saturday at noon ET against North Texas in Bloomington, with FOX carrying the game as part of its Big Noon Kickoff window. Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft will be on the call, while Don Fischer and Buck Suhr handle the radio broadcast on the IU Radio Network.
Indiana and North Texas have split their two previous meetings, and the most recent matchup came in 2014. That day, Kevin Wilson was coaching the Hoosiers and Nate Sudfeld threw for more than 300 yards in a 49-24 Indiana win.
This will be the first game of the season for both teams, and Indiana is looking to get off to a cleaner start than it has in Curt Cignetti’s first two years. The Hoosiers opened 2024 with a 31-7 win over FIU and began last season by beating Old Dominion 27-14.
Indiana arrives after a 16-0 season that ended with the program lifting the national championship trophy following a 27-21 win over Miami. A lot of those stars are gone now, but the roster still carries plenty of name power.
The Hoosiers bring back All-Americans on both sides of the ball, led up front by offensive lineman Carter Smith. Josh Hoover is the new quarterback, and he comes in with more than 9,000 passing yards and 71 touchdowns already on his résumé.
Hoover will have options. Charlie Becker is back, and Indiana also adds Nick Marsh and Tyler Morris to the mix. The backfield has its own punch, with Turbo Richard arriving from Boston College to join Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr.
On defense, Indiana looks loaded again. Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy anchor the middle, Tyrique Tucker leads a strong defensive line group, and playoff hero Jamari Sharpe is back to help shut down opposing top receivers.
The Hoosiers also carry a 15-game home winning streak into the opener. Memorial Stadium will be sold out for the fifth straight home game, and fans will also see special events honoring Indiana’s run to the title last season.
In Other News...
Indiana Fans Are Getting A Memorial Stadium Experience Theyve Never Had
Indiana Athletics is rolling out a noticeably different Memorial Stadium experience ahead of the 2026 college football season, with a set of gameday additions designed to make Saturdays feel bigger before the first snap. Among the new offerings are chances for fans to run onto the field with the team, take facility tours, and spend time in a new tailgate area that includes a photo op with the national championship trophy.
The upgrades go well beyond the novelty touches. Indiana is also adding expanded concessions, improved restroom facilities and stronger wireless service infrastructure through AT&T and Verizon, while commemorative signage tied to the 2025 national championship will be part of the backdrop. Rally towels featuring players and a pop-up IU Team Store round out the changes, giving the stadium a more polished and interactive feel for fans who have long wanted more from the gameday atmosphere. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Title Defense Starts With One Big Week 1 Concern
Indiana opens its title defense at home against North Texas, and the spotlight lands immediately on a new era under center. Josh Hoover, the transfer from TCU, steps in as the Hoosiers starting quarterback after Fernando Mendoza moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving Indiana to defend a national championship with a different face leading the offense.
The timing makes the matchup feel a little less routine than a typical season opener. North Texas arrives with a new head coach and a roster that has been heavily remade after the previous coach left and a wave of transfers followed, so the Hoosiers are not just easing into a new season, they are trying to do it while answering one of the biggest questions of any title defense: how quickly the new quarterback settles in when the real pressure starts. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Has A New Receiver Battle Fans Should Be Watching
Indianas wide receiver room still looks loaded heading into 2026, even after the Hoosiers lose key playmakers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt to the NFL. Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh are already drawing first-round buzz, and the depth behind them gives Indiana a chance to keep the passing game rolling without taking a step back.
The real intrigue now is how the rest of the targets shake out around that top tier. Tyler Morris, Davion Chandler, Lebron Bond and Shazz Preston are all positioned for larger roles, while the tight end spot remains unsettled with unproven options. Turbo Richard could also become a bigger part of the passing attack, which only adds another layer to a receiver competition that should stay worth watching all offseason. [Read more 🡒]