At long last, the 2026 college football season is here! Coming off a historic National Championship, the Indiana Hoosiers are set to take the field in the season opener in just a few days. Curt Cignetti and company open the new campaign on Saturday against the North Texas Mean Green.
The Hoosiers are going to look a little different in 2026. Eight players were drafted to the NFL (which set a program record), leaving Cignetti and his staff with plenty of production to replace. But even with a significant number of new faces in town, Cignetti has the program well-positioned for another elite season.
Saturday's contest against North Texas presents an extremely favorable matchup to get the new season started in a positive way.
How to watch Indiana take on North Texas
Kick-off between the Hoosiers and Mean Green is slated for Noon ET on Saturday, September 5. The easiest way to watch the action unfold (if you aren't planning to attend in person), is to tune into FOX. Big Noon Kickoff will be on site, bringing the national attention to Bloomington to start the new season. FOX's A-team of Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt, and Jenny Taft will be on the call.
Indiana vs. North Texas betting odds
Not surprisingly, the Hoosiers are heavily favored in this season-opening contest. Via DraftKings Sportsbook, Indiana is favored by a whopping 39.5 points on the spread. Just a few years ago, seeing Indiana favored by that many points against anyone would have been almost unthinkable. Now it is the new normal. Furthermore, DraftKings isn't even offering moneyline odds for this Week 1 matchup. That's how confident oddsmakers are in seeing an Indiana victory.
Spread:
North Texas +39.5 (-105)
Indiana -39.5 (-115)
Total:
Over 55.5 (-112)
Under 55.5 (-108)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Indiana vs. North Texas series history
Indiana has battled North Texas just twice. The two teams split those matchups. North Texas won 24-21 in Denton back in 2011, with Indiana winning the most recent meeting 49-24 in Bloomington during the 2014 season. Heading into this contest, the Hoosiers are in great shape to move to 2-1 in the all-time series.
Indiana vs. North Texas players to watch
North Texas: QB Tayven Jackson, RB Jahiem White
Indiana football fans know North Texas' starting QB well. Tayven Jackson played two seasons with the Hoosiers in 2023 and 2024, and made a handful of starts as a redshirt sophomore and before backing up Kurtis Rourke in 2024. Jackson spent last season at UCF where he was the Knights' starting quarterback. He totaled 2,151 yards and 10 touchdowns through 11 games. The Hoosier defense will undoubtedly be looking to ruin his return to Bloomington.
Jahiem White comes to UNT after three seasons at West Virginia. He racked up 1,687 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first two seasons before an injury cut his 2025 short after just two games. White has over 2,200 all-purpose yards in his career, and figures to be UNT's top offensive weapon.
Indiana: QB Josh Hoover, WR Nick Marsh
Without a doubt, the player that all IU football fans are most interested to watch is QB Josh Hoover. After watching Fernando Mendoza work his magic all of last season en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, following in his footsteps is no easy task. But Hoover has the experience, skill, and leadership ability to keep the Hoosier offense rolling.
WR Nick Marsh is another name to keep an eye on. He was one of Indiana's biggest gets in the transfer portal and brings an electric skill set to Bloomington. Marsh led Michigan State in receiving over the last two seasons, and is now poised to thrive in a much better offensive system at Indiana.
Indiana vs. North Texas score prediction
The Mean Green won 12 games last season, but their roster was completed gutted over the offseason with Eric Morris taking the Oklahoma State job. UNT has 49 transfers on the roster, and there are plenty of unknowns heading into Year 1 of the Neal Brown era. Going up against the defending national champs on the road is not an ideal first matchup. Indiana should roll. Hoosiers win 52-10.
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