Which 2026 games present the biggest obstacles to an IU football program intent on a third-straight appearance in the College Football Playoff?
The Hoosiers should have a good chance for a fast start as they put the nation’s longest overall winning streak, and the longest home winning streak, on the line.
Below we rank each of their 12 games from easiest to hardest.
vs. Howard, Sept. 12
The combined score of Indiana’s last two games against an FCS opponent is 150-3, and there’s not much reason to expect a significantly different outcome this time around. Howard is by no means an FCS power, and they’ve gone through an offseason coaching change.
vs. North Texas, Sept. 5
Don’t focus on North Texas’ 2025 results. Yes they went 12-2, but they’ve since had to replace the head coach and most of their production on both sides of the ball. Although they did add 22 Power 4 transfers, this isn’t Joe Greene’s Mean Green, and not even last year’s Mean Green.
vs. Western Kentucky, Sept. 19
Head coach Ty Helton has been around for a while and runs a good program at WKU. His air raid offense has given IU trouble in the past. Like most G5 teams, the Hilltoppers have undergone significant roster and staff upheaval, but the continuity at the top helps.
vs. Purdue, Nov. 28
Purdue hasn’t won a Big Ten game since 2023, and if they haven’t grabbed a conference win by the season finale, it’ll be three straight winless years in the league. Barry Odom has some continuity this year with roughly the same returning production as IU. So the Boilermakers should be more respectable, if not a threat to beat the Hoosiers.
vs. Northwestern, Sept. 26
The Wildcats made life difficult for opponents last season with a respectable defense. Unfortunately for them, most of their offseason losses came on the defensive side of the ball. NU has had Chip Kelly to attempt to spark the offense, and he’ll have Big Ten veteran Aiden Chiles as QB.
at Rutgers, Oct. 3
Indiana’s first road trip appears on paper to be its most winnable game away from Memorial Stadium. Rutgers is coming off a disappointing 5-7 season and didn’t hit it out of the park with transfer portal replacements after losing more than half their production on both sides of the ball. Greg Schiano is a good coach, but he’ll be rolling with a relatively unproven quarterback.
vs. Minnesota, Oct. 31
Minnesota has been one of the more underappreciated Big Ten teams over the last decade. They have eight or more wins in four of the last five seasons under coach P.J. Fleck. And the Gophers rank in the top-10 nationally in SP+ returning production. After back-to-back brutal games vs. Ohio State and Michigan, this probably won’t be easy.
vs. USC, Nov. 14
The only Big Ten team IU has never defeated comes to Memorial Stadium in mid-November. The Trojans will arrive in Bloomington with staff continuity, an elite quarterback, and high overall returning production on the roster. According to SP+ this is IU’s second-best opponent. But the Hoosiers are at home and will be coming off a much-needed bye.
at Nebraska, Oct. 10
Nebraska has a decent chance to start the season 5-0 ahead of this game. The program is in desperation mode as Matt Rhule tries to salvage his tenure in Lincoln. 90,000-plus will be at their best in what could end up being a College Gameday environment. The Huskers rank third in returning roster production, but it may all come down to whether quarterback Anthony Colandrea is ready for the big stage.
at Washington, Nov. 21
Washington is one of the more difficult road venues in the Big Ten, and the Huskies project to be pretty good in 2026. QB Demond Williams highlights solid returning production. Who knows where these teams will be this late in the season, but nearly six months out this looks like a major challenge.
at Michigan, Oct. 24
Indiana has not won a game in Ann Arbor since 1967. Of course many longstanding streaks have ended in the last two years, but this won’t be easy, especially given the game that comes just before this one. QB Bryce Underwood will need to be much better than his freshman season, but Michigan has a much more competent coaching staff led by Kyle Whittingham.
vs. Ohio State, Oct. 17
This has the potential to be the biggest game ever played at Memorial Stadium. If both teams are undefeated it could be the second No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting of these programs in 10 months. The Buckeyes will have revenge on their minds, while the Hoosiers will attempt to establish a trend of conference superiority. OSU is the SP+ preseason No. 1, and return QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith.
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