You know the college football season is drawing nearer when the first official preseason poll has been released. That happened on Tuesday afternoon when USA Today revealed its first Top-25 coaches poll of the preseason.
Despite coming off a perfect 16-0 season that culminated in a historic National Championship, the Indiana Hoosiers didn't earn the top spot. Furthermore, Indiana isn't even part of the Top-5.
Indiana snubbed in first coaches poll of the season
No. 6. That's the spot that the Hoosiers claim in the USA Today preseason coaches poll. Indiana is also the third-highest ranked Big Ten team, following Ohio State (No. 1) and Oregon (No. 2).
The Hoosiers also follow Georgia at No. 3, Texas at No. 4, and Notre Dame at No. 5. Cignetti and company come in right ahead of Miami (FL), who they defeated in the CFP National Championship Game last year. Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss round out the Top-10.
Here is a look at the full results:
BREAKING: College Football Preseason Coaches Poll👀https://t.co/gnEe967fmH pic.twitter.com/W2xBYGZWYe
— On3 (@On3) August 4, 2026
Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers have more bulletin board material following coaches poll
Indiana not earning a Top-5 ranking in the first coaches poll of the season is surprising to see, and it continues the offseason disrespect for the Hoosiers. Last month, the Big Ten's media members listed Indiana as the No. 3 team in the Big Ten. Much like the USA Today coaches poll, Indiana followed Ohio State and Oregon––teams who the Hoosiers went 3-0 against last season.
But being overlooked is nothing new to Cignetti and the Hoosiers. Even after going 11-1 with a trip to the College Football Playoff in his first season, Indiana was still not widely viewed as a title contender heading into 2025. Last offseason, Indiana was ranked as the No. 20 team in the country in the preseason AP Top-25 Poll.
Projecting Indiana Football's 2026 depth chart before the start of fall camp
Since taking over for the program with the most losses in college football history, all Cignetti has done is win. Just Google him. The Hoosiers are 27-2 under Cignetti's leadership, and of course, won a Big Ten title, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, and CFP National Championship Game last season. Oh yeah, and he also produced a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback. At this point, what more does he have to do to be given the benefit of the doubt?
Hoosier fans have plenty of faith in Cignetti and the Hoosiers in 2026
Cignetti is the undisputed top college football coach in the country. What he has done at Indiana is nothing short of remarkable, and he's led the Hoosier program to heights that were never thought to be attainable in Bloomington. With Cignetti leading the way, Indiana football fans have plenty of faith in the Hoosiers' staying power in 2026 and beyond.
Indiana loses plenty of production from last year's team, but Cignetti has re-stocked the roster with elite talent through the portal, and his résumé speaks for itself. The momentum only continues to build, and Indiana has a great chance to compete for another title in the upcoming season.
The Hoosiers start the new season in a little over a month on September 5 against North Texas.
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