The upcoming college football season is quickly approaching, and fans of the Indiana Hoosiers have a lot to look forward to. Curt Cignetti has re-vamped Indiana's roster in a major way, and the Hoosiers are expected to compete for another national title after going 16-0 last season.
Signaling that the season is right around the corner, the AP preseason poll was released earlier this week. Indiana came in at No. 6, and as it stands, will face four ranked opponents in the 2026 season. But as we all know, not every ranked team in the preseason poll will stay there all season long. Last year, a total of 12 teams ranked in the preseason poll ended the season unranked.
Heading into the 2026 season, where will Indiana's ranked opponents fall when they actually go head-to-head on the gridiron? Here are a few predictions.
Week 7 vs. Ohio State
AP preseason poll ranking: No. 1
Week 7 ranking prediction: No. 3
After an extremely manageable non-conference slate and beginning to conference Indiana's biggest game of the season come on October 17 against Ohio State. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers have won each of the last two National Championships, and both are locked and loaded to compete for another title this season.
Ohio State faces one of the toughest schedules in the country. Prior to coming to Bloomington, the Buckeyes will face No. 5 Texas and No. 22 Iowa on the road. They also host Illinois, and while the Fighting Illini aren't ranked in the AP preseason poll, they are a dangerous team. Texas is the toughest matchup, but it's certainly possible that Ohio State doesn't come to Memorial Stadium undefeated.
For now, we'll say that the Buckeyes fall to Texas but beat everyone else before facing Indiana. That loss would knock them out from the top spot, but it likely wouldn't drop them too far.
Week 8 at Michigan
AP preseason poll ranking: No. 16
Week 8 ranking prediction: No. 14
In their first year under new head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Michigan Wolverines will face three ranked teams before taking on the Hoosiers in Week 8. Michigan will battle No. 10 Oklahoma in Week 2, No. 22 Iowa in Week 4, and No. 18 Penn State in Week 7. They get Oklahoma and Iowa at home, and will hit the road to face a new-look Penn State team under Matt Campbell.
That is a tough slate, but Whittingham shouldn't be doubted. He has been a model of stability and consistency throughout his career, which is what Michigan desperately needs. He will have Michigan off to a strong start, and even if the Wolverines are 5-1 heading into this matchup, they will have beaten some solid teams to get there. That should have them holding a Top-15 ranking when going up against Cignetti and company.
Week 11 vs. USC
AP preseason poll ranking: No. 14
Week 11 ranking prediction: No. 25
The USC Trojans enter what could be a make-or-break year under Lincoln Riley. USC has yet to qualify for the CFP under Riley, and patience may be wearing thin. But there is plenty of elite talent on USC's roster, and Jayden Maiava is back after posting eye-popping numbers last season.
The Trojans come in at No. 14 in the AP preseason poll. They should start 4-0 with wins over San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana, and Rutgers. But then things get tough. In the five games leading up to their Week 11 matchup against Indiana, USC has a schedule that includes matchups against No. 2 Oregon, No. 17 Washington, No. 18 Penn State, at Wisconsin, and vs No. 1 Ohio State.
From what we've seen from Lincoln Riley's tenure at USC so far, it seems unlikely that the Trojans get through that slate unscathed. Furthermore, it wouldn't be surprising to see multiple losses, or even worse for Riley, the wheels completely fall off. There is so much variance in what can happen with this USC team. For now we'll say they'll be ranked, but barely.
Week 12 at Washington
AP preseason poll ranking: No. 17
Week 12 ranking prediction: No. 8
Washington is an under-the-radar team that Hoosier fans need to keep an eye on throughout the course of the upcoming regular season. The Hoosiers head to Seattle in Week 12 on November 21, and there's a good chance that Washington is a Top-10 team.
The Huskies are entering Year 3 under Jedd Fisch, and he took them from six wins in his first season to nine wins last year. QB Demond Williams is back, and he is a legitimate Heisman contender. The defense should be much-improved, and in total, the Huskies are a dangerous team.
Their schedule is manageable, as they'll face three ranked opponents before taking on Indiana: at No. 14 USC and at home vs. No. 22 Iowa and No. 18 Penn State. Don't be surprised if the Huskies are competing for an appearance in the Big Ten title game when this late-season matchup rolls around.
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