On Monday at noon Eastern, the 2026 AP preseason poll was released.
Despite Indiana coming off a perfect season which saw them win their first national championship, they will not begin their title defense atop the rankings.
The Hoosiers received a No. 6 ranking, as voted on by over 60 anonymous sports broadcasters and writers. The five teams ranked above them to begin the season in order are: Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas.
Though this is the highest Indiana has ever been ranked to begin a season, leaving the Hoosiers out of the top five will certainly cause some hard feelings.
Remember, Indiana was ranked No. 20 last year in the AP preseason poll, and then proceeded to leave Miami with a national title five months later.
Ranked opponents for Indiana in 2026 include: No. 1 Ohio State (Oct. 17), No. 14 USC (Nov. 14), No. 16 Michigan (Oct. 24) and No. 17 Washington (Nov. 21).
Big Ten programs who are ranked in the preseason poll but are not on Indiana’s schedule include: No. 2 Oregon, No. 18 Penn State and No. 22 Iowa.
IU opens the 2026 season at home vs. North Texas on Sept. 5 at noon Eastern.
