The Indiana Hoosiers ran the table last season with a perfect 16-0 record en route to winning a historic national title, and IU fans are eager to see what Curt Cignetti can put together for his third season in Bloomington. The Hoosiers lose plenty of production to the NFL from last year's team, but Cignetti has re-stocked Indiana's roster with a top-20 recruiting class as well as 17 incoming players via the transfer portal.
Indiana, Curt Cignetti fully trolling Notre Dame with National Championship trophy tour
Despite dealing with some roster turnover, it's clear that professional oddsmakers have plenty of confidence in Indiana's staying power next season. Indiana's projected win total is among the highest in the country, which signals that the Hoosiers are expected to compete for another Big Ten title and College Football Playoff National Championship once again.
Oddsmakers send mixed signals on Indiana's Big Ten title chances
Last week, FanDuel Sportsbook released 2026 win totals for the Power 4 conferences. Indiana's win total is near the top of the list at 10.5. That is the second-highest total in the country, trailing only Notre Dame who has a win total of 11.5. Furthermore, IU's win total of 10.5 is tied with Oregon for the highest mark in the Big Ten.
To show just how far Cignetti has brought in the Indiana football program, the Hoosiers have a higher win total than the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, despite having a lower win total of 9.5, it's Ohio State who is the early favorite to win the Big Ten with odds of +190. Indiana trails OSU with odds of +260, while Oregon isn't far behind with odds of +300.
It's interesting to see Indiana trails Ohio State on the odds board when it comes to the Big Ten title despite having a higher win total. Ohio State's schedule is among the toughest in the country, as the Buckeyes have a non-conference matchup at Texas, as well as conference tilts at Indiana, at USC, vs Oregon, and vs Michigan. Indiana famously defeated Ohio State 13-10 in last year's Big Ten title game in Indianapolis, and Hoosier fans are eager for another shot at a conference crown.
Cignetti was able to take IU to the promised land without a bevy of 5-star recruits on the roster last season. With a win total of 10.5 for the regular season, Hoosier fans should have plenty of confidence in Cignetti's ability to keep the momentum rolling next season.
Early Big Ten win totals via Fan Duel Sportsbook
Indiana - 10.5
Oregon - 10.5
Ohio State - 9.5
Penn State - 9.5
USC - 8.5
Michigan - 8.5
Illinois - 7.5
Washington - 7.5
Wisconsin - 6.5
UCLA - 6.5
Nebraska - 5.5
Minnesota - 5.5
Northwestern - 5.5
Rutgers - 4.5
Maryland - 4.5
Michigan State - 3.5