Author: Mike Schumann

College football season is rapidly approaching, with fall camp underway. We’re going through Indiana’s schedule to look ahead at all 12 opponents for 2026. Opponent: USC Date/Time/TV: Saturday, November 14, TBD Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana 2025 record/postseason result: 9-4, 7-2 Big Ten (30-27 loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl) Overall returning production: 64 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (No. 16 in the country, seventh in the Big Ten) Returning production, offense: 64 percent (per Bill Connelly/ESPN) (26th in the country) Offensive outlook:  Head coach Lincoln Riley remains the team’s playcaller.  The offense has generally not been the problem under…

After watching three weeks of practice and talking with the players and coaches this month, it’s time to take a final position-by-position look at IU football ahead of the 2026 season. Next up is the offensive line. THE COACH Bob Bostad is the lone holdover from Tom Allen’s tenure as Indiana head coach.  Bostad joined Allen’s staff in 2023, and Curt Cignetti retained him.  That was a decision he has not regretted.  IU was good up front in 2024, and elite in 2025. THE MAIN MEN The starting lineup has been clear for a while. Carter Smith (6-foot-5, 310) is…

Indiana will open the 2026 season about as healthy as it could hope for. On Monday ahead of his team’s season debut, head coach Curt Cignetti revealed the team has suffered no serious injuries at fall camp. “We didn’t lose anyone other than probably (freshman tight end Trevor) Gibbs would be questionable for the game,” Cignetti said.  “He would be the only one.” Gibbs had emerged as one of three young tight ends competing for snaps during fall camp.  His setback will likely mean Andrew Barker or Brock Schott will see the majority of the action. The health trend has…

The long wait is almost is over.  College football is back, as the reigning national champs return to action this Saturday. The No. 6 Hoosiers (0-0) will face North Texas (0-0) Saturday at Noon ET inside Memorial Stadium in Bloomington (FOX). This is the third all-time meeting between the programs.  They played in 2011 and 2014, with each team winning on its home field. Like Indiana, North Texas is coming off its most wins in a season in program history.  The Mean Green went 12-2 a year ago and won the American Athletic Conference title.  They finished the season in…

After watching three weeks of practice and talking with the players and coaches this month, it’s time to take a final position-by-position look at IU football ahead of the 2026 season. Next up are the defensive backs. THE COACHES Both of the defensive back coaches were new hires for head coach Curt Cignetti in 2024. Safeties:  Ola Adams is entering his third season coaching the safeties under Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines. Cornerbacks:  Rod Ojong is also entering his third season under Cignetti and Haines. THE MAIN MEN Senior Amare Ferrell (6-foot-2, 205) is entering is third season as a starting…

Indiana football’s last two starting quarterbacks will be with NFL teams this season. After being drafted No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, Fernando Mendoza is of course going to be on the roster.  The only question was whether he’d be the starter or the backup.  The Raiders are sticking with their plan to have Mendoza begin the season as a backup to Kirk Cousins, CBS Sports is reporting. Over the preseason, Mendoza completed 25 of his 45 passes (55.6%) for 240 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Cousins, 38, is entering his 15th season in the NFL.…

IU basketball is getting a September official visit from class of 2028 5-star guard Brady Pettigrew, 247Sports national analyst Dushawn London is reporting. It’s one of nine officials he’ll take from September through January.  Pettigrew will visit Bloomington the weekend of Sept. 18-20, London says. Pettigrew also visited IU last October on an unofficial visit.  The Indiana staff offered him in May. The 6-foot-4 Pettigrew averaged 20 points per game as a sophomore, to go with four rebounds and three assists for Bolingbrook H.S. in the Chicago area. The 5-star prospect is the No. 14 overall player in the 2028…

As you’ve likely read in recent weeks, IU has obtained a $50 million line of credit related to Memorial Stadium and is seeking another $150 million from the state. In an interview on Sidelines Stories with Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish, IU AD Scott Dolson spoke about the plans for the $50 million, and the future vision for enhancements to Memorial Stadium as additional funds become available. On the initial $50 million… “The $50 million is really a line of credit to help us on the guts of the building to make certain that we can handle sellouts, that we…

How will IU pay tribute to the 2025 national champions at the 2026 season opener? They’re not sharing anything specific, but the athletic department is recommending an early arrival inside Memorial Stadium so you don’t miss it. “I would recommend to get in the stands early because I think it will be some fun stuff that we’ll do to kick off the season that that we’re super excited about,” IU AD Scott Dolson told Tricia Whitaker and Sydney Parrish on the Sideline Stories podcast this week. “So, I’d say just get there early. It’s a noon kick and and again,…

After watching three weeks of practice and talking with the players and coaches this month, it’s time to take a final position-by-position look at IU football ahead of the 2026 season. Next up are the linebackers. THE COACHES Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines coaches the linebackers.  In a recent interview, head coach Curt Cignetti said he thought Haines might be a better linebackers coach than defensive coordinator.  That’s a major statement considering Haines was named the 2025 assistant coach of the year primarily due to his work as the DC. Haines has been with Cignetti since 2014 and has earned the…