It’s Big Ten football media days week, and that means we get some annual insights from the media who cover the league on the outlook for the 2026 season.
IU football coach Curt Cignetti says he’s always in search of an edge, always looking to have a chip on his shoulder.
The annual Cleveland.com and USA Today media predictions for the 2026 Big Ten standings should provide some fuel.
After a 16-0 national championship season, the Hoosiers are predicted to finish third in the league in both polls. Several IU players earned recognition, including a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year nod for linebacker Rolijah Hardy.
Here are the results from 31 voters for Cleveland.com, and 16 writers within the USA Today Network.
Cleveland.com Poll
- Ohio State (15)
- Oregon (11)
- Indiana (5)
- USC
- Michigan
- Penn State
- Washington
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
- UCLA
- Northwestern
- Maryland
- Michigan State
- Rutgers
- Purdue
IU quarterback Josh Hoover finished fifth in the league player of the year voting, while running back Turbo Richard and OT Carter Smith also received votes.
For defensive player of the year, DT Tyrique Tucker finished sixth in the voting, while linebacker Rolijah Hardy, cornerback Jamari Sharpe, safety Amare Ferrell and linebacker Isaiah Jones all received votes.
USA Today Poll
- Ohio State (11 first-place votes)
- Oregon (5 first-place votes)
- Indiana
- USC
- Michigan
- Penn State
- Washington
- Iowa
- Illinois
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- UCLA
- Wisconsin
- Maryland
- Northwestern
- Rutgers
- Michigan State
- Purdue
The USA Today voters named IU linebacker Rolijah Hardy the Big Ten defensive player of the year, and quarterback Josh Hoover the newcomer of the year.
WR Charlie Becker, OT Carter Smith, DT Tyrique Tucker, LB Rolijah Hardy, LB Isaiah Jones, S Amare Ferrell, and K Nico Radicic were all voted First Team All-Big Ten.
The following players earned honorable mention: WR Nick Marsh, OL Drew Evans, OL Joe Brunner, DL Mario Landino, DB Jamari Sharpe.
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The Athletic also named preseason All Big Ten teams and placed Becker, Smith, Tucker, Hardy, Jones and Radicic to the first team; Marsh, Ferrell and Mario Landino to the second team, and Sharpe to the third team.
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