Indiana didn’t just handle business in its first two games - it forced the AP voters to take another look.
The Hoosiers have opened 2026 with a pair of lopsided wins, crushing North Texas 52-16 in Week 1 before blanking Howard 55-0 in Week 2. That adds up to a 107-16 edge across two games, and while both matchups were ones Indiana was supposed to dominate, the scale of the wins has still been hard to ignore.
That was reflected again in Sunday afternoon’s AP Top-25 release. Indiana moved up from No. 5 to No. 4, continuing a climb that started after the season opener.
The Hoosiers began the year at No. 6 in the preseason poll, then jumped one spot after beating North Texas, and now have risen again after another convincing performance. Indiana also picked up three first-place votes.
The move was helped by chaos at the top. Ohio State fell from No. 1 to No. 6 after losing to Texas on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes had led 23-3 late in the third quarter before the Longhorns stormed back in a result that sent Texas from No. 4 last week to No. 1 now. Georgia is No.
2, Notre Dame is No. 3, and Miami (FL) sits behind Indiana at No. 5.
For Curt Cignetti’s team, the bigger story is that the hot start is backing up the preseason buzz. Indiana came into the year ranked sixth after its perfect 16-0 season and historic national championship, and the first two weeks have only strengthened the case that this group belongs near the top of the poll.
There’s still room to tighten things up, but the Hoosiers have looked every bit like a team in control. Josh Hoover has been highly efficient, and his connection with Charlie Becker has jumped out early. Becker already has five touchdown catches, giving Indiana a clear downfield threat as the offense settles in.
The defense had a quieter opener in Week 1, but it turned in a dominant follow-up against Howard. Indiana gave up just 57 total yards and four first downs while piling up five sacks, a showing that gave Bryant Haines’ unit a major boost heading into the next stretch.
Indiana’s next test comes against Western Kentucky, where the Hoosiers will be heavy favorites again. After that, conference play begins against Northwestern on September 25.
In Other News...
Indiana Suddenly Has A Real Opening In The Big Ten Race
Week 2 in the Big Ten brought a little more clarity and a lot more chaos, and Indiana had to like what it saw from the rest of the league. Ohio States collapse after building a strong start against Texas, Oregons second straight stumble after its earlier loss, and Michigans defense holding up against Oklahoma all fed into a race that suddenly feels less tidy than it did a week ago. USC also kept building momentum behind quarterback Jayden Maiava, another reminder that the leagues top tier may be deeper and less predictable than expected.
For Indiana, the value in that disorder is obvious. The Hoosiers do not need the Big Ten to get easy, but they do need the field above them to keep taking turns giving ground, and that is exactly what the opening stretch delivered. With the conference already showing signs of volatility and some of its biggest names still sorting out who they are, Indiana can see a path to mattering in a race that looked more crowded than competitive just days ago. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana's Defensive Rotation Just Put A New Spotlight On Its Depth
Indiana leaned heavily on its defensive depth in the 55-0 win over Howard, and the snap counts told the story just as much as the scoreboard did. The Hoosiers spread the workload across a long list of contributors, with Mario Landino and Chiddi Obiazor standing out among the pressure players and Rolijah Hardy turning in the kind of splash play that can change the feel of a game in a hurry.
What makes the rotation worth watching now is how many different pieces were involved, including freshmen and players still chasing more eligibility. Early in the season, that kind of distribution can be a luxury if everyone stays productive, but it can also become a real evaluation tool as Indiana learns who can hold up once the competition tightens and the game plans get more demanding. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Waits On Court Fight That Could Cost Two Key Veterans
Indiana football is still waiting on the legal wrangling that could shape the rest of its season, with the eligibility case involving veterans Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt ending in court Wednesday without a ruling. The two players are challenging the NCAA over its five-for-five eligibility rule, and the absence of a decision leaves the Hoosiers in a holding pattern as the week moves toward Saturdays game.
The temporary restraining order that had allowed Daley and Wyatt to keep playing has now expired, which means they are ineligible unless the judge acts before the weekend. Attorneys have until Thursday to submit final documentation, but for now Indiana is left watching the calendar as much as the depth chart, hoping the legal process catches up in time to avoid losing two experienced pieces. [Read more 🡒]