The defending national champions are back on the field this Saturday, and Indiana opens its title defense at home against North Texas with a fresh look under center and a roster that has changed plenty since last season.
Indiana comes into Week 1 ranked No. 6 in the nation, a spot that leaves room for the idea that the Hoosiers are being overlooked. At the same time, there’s no hiding the turnover on this team. Indiana lost a lot from last year’s squad, including Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is now with the Las Vegas Raiders.
That puts the spotlight on Josh Hoover, Indiana’s new starting quarterback after transferring from TCU. Hoover has major shoes to fill, but he brings real production with him.
Last season for the Horned Frogs, he completed 65.9% of his passes for 3,472 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. With more talent around him now, the key is simple: if he keeps the mistakes down, he has a chance to be one of the Big Ten’s best quarterbacks.
North Texas, meanwhile, enters this game in a very different spot than it was a year ago. The Mean Green put together one of the strongest advanced-metrics seasons in the country, but that success came with a cost. Head coach Eric Morris has moved on to a power school, and most of the roster has transferred out.
That kind of reset is tough to trust in a matchup like this. North Texas now has a new head coach and an almost completely rebuilt team, and that makes it hard to see the Mean Green hanging around against a national championship contender.
Indiana has its own departures to absorb, but Curt Cignetti’s track record as a roster builder gives the Hoosiers an edge in a game that already tilts heavily in their direction. Hoover’s debut will be one of the main things to watch, but the bigger picture is pretty clear: Indiana has the better pieces, and North Texas arrives with far too much change to feel good about its chances.
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 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 🡒]
Indiana Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About This Ohio State Setup
Indianas trip to Ohio State on Oct. 17 is shaping up as one of the more intriguing checkpoints on the schedule, and fans now have a better sense of when theyll be watching. Scott Dochterman of The Athletic reported that the Big Ten matchup is likely headed for a noon Eastern start on FOX, with the network holding the broadcast rights for the game under the leagues media deal.
For Indiana followers, that makes the weekend feel a little more defined, even as the broader stakes of the game remain the bigger draw. Dochtermans report also laid out the Hoosiers first five games along with their broadcast networks and times, giving a clearer picture of how the early-season slate will be presented as the team settles into the fall schedule. [Read more 🡒]