After going 16-0 and winning the National Championship last season, Curt Cignetti has the Indiana Hoosiers poised to compete for another national title in 2026-27. With a strong group of returners, as well as a highly-touted transfer portal class, the Hoosiers are set to enter the new season with high expectations.
The upcoming schedule is workable for Indiana, but there are still several key matchups fans already have circled on their calendars. The October 17 matchup against Ohio State in Bloomington has Game of the Year potential in the entirety of college football, and a road trip to Ann Arbor to face Michigan the following week presents several challenges. Furthermore, Indiana's road trip to Washington on November 21 won't be easy.
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Those are all intriguing matchups for many reasons, but there is one game on Indiana's 2026-27 schedule that is flying under the radar.
Indiana vs USC on November 14 could be a season-defining game
The USC Trojans are one of the most intriguing teams in college football entering the new season. Lincoln Riley's tenure so far in Los Angeles has been full of disappointment. The Trojans have yet to make the College Football Playoff with Riley at the helm, but they have come close on several occasions. Having yet to break through in a major way, the 2026-27 campaign could be a make-or-break season for Riley.
Now entering Year 6, Riley is still searching for his defining season in Southern California. Last season, USC went 9-3 and just missed the CFP. With that latest shortcoming, the administration and fan base is now entering a mode of desperation.
The talent could be there, which means Indiana has to be on high alert. USC boasts the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, which is led by 5-star prospects OT Keenyi Pepe, EDGE Luke Wafle, and DL Jaimeon Winfield. QB Jaiden Maiava is back after ranking 5th in the country with 3,711 passing yards last season, and his presence has the Trojan offense in a solid spot.
Hosting USC is a matchup Indiana cannot overlook
With heavyweight matchups against Ohio State and Michigan in October, November's matchup against USC is not a game the Hoosiers can overlook. With Riley feeling the heat and needing to put together an impressive season, IU is sure to get USC's best.
It helps that Indiana will be coming off a bye when the Trojans come to town on November 14. However, USC will also be coming off a bye. That means both teams will have ample time to rest up and prepare for this highly-anticipated contest. With that in mind, both programs should be expected to put forth their best efforts.
Because this matchup doesn't come until November 14, a lot can happen between now and then. Both teams will be 9 games into the season at that point, meaning that the stakes in this game could be all over the place. But right now, Indiana hosting USC has the potential to be among the fascinating games of the season in the Big Ten.
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