No. 6 Indiana opens its national title defense Saturday afternoon in Bloomington, and the scene around the game has all the trappings of a championship celebration.
There will be a U.S. Air Force flyover, a reveal of the 2025 national championship signage inside the stadium and two hours of Big Noon pregame coverage before the Hoosiers finally get to find out what this new team looks like.
For Curt Cignetti, the noise around the opener is secondary. The third-year Indiana coach made it clear the past belongs in the past.
"What's done is done," Cignetti said. "This is a new football team, and we have a chance to be pretty good. But, you know, we've got to do it."
Indiana brings back 12 starters from its 16-0 run, including eight on a defense that finished second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 11.7 points per game. On offense, the most recognizable returner is wide receiver Charlie Becker, who caught 34 passes for 679 yards and four touchdowns.
The biggest change, though, is at quarterback. Cignetti had to replace several skill players, including Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Fernando Mendoza. After landing Mendoza out of Cal a year ago, he went back to the portal and brought in fifth-year quarterback Josh Hoover from TCU.
Hoover spent three seasons as the Horned Frogs' starter and finished with 65.2% completions, 9,629 passing yards, 71 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. Cignetti said he expects Hoover to keep growing.
"I don't think there's any question he's improved and more confident," Cignetti said. "There's always improvement that can be made. There's still missed opportunities out there that can be converted and executed."
The challenge on the other sideline is just as unusual. North Texas went 12-2 last season, but it is now under a new head coach in Neal Brown, who replaced Eric Morris. Brown, who previously coached at West Virginia and Troy, brought in Baylor defensive coordinator Matt Powledge, and the new staff added about 75 players, with roughly two-thirds coming via transfer.
That kind of turnover has forced Indiana to spend a lot of time studying a wide range of film.
"On the offensive side of the ball, it's been a lot of Baylor tape," Cignetti said. "On the defensive side of the ball, a lot of West Virginia tape and some Texas, maybe. I've never played in a game like this one where there are so many new faces."
Even with all the changes at North Texas, one part of the matchup should feel familiar to Indiana: the quarterback. Former Hoosier Tayven Jackson is set to lead the Mean Green after spending time in Bloomington before transferring to UCF.
Jackson made five starts for Indiana before Cignetti arrived, then backed up Kurtis Rourke in 2024. When Rourke was injured in October, Jackson came on in the second half against Nebraska and also started against Washington.
"Tayven played really good football for us in '24," Cignetti said. "He's very talented.
He's got a live arm. He can run.
He's a good athlete. Started a number of games last season (at UCF)."
Brown also pointed to Jackson's experience and the way he has handled setbacks.
"He's got veteran presence," Brown said. "The other thing, too, is he's been through some adversity at Indiana and at UCF.
I think what that does, it gives you some resiliency. He's felt disappointment before, and he's worked extremely hard since he's been here not to repeat that feeling."
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 🡒]