It’s not easy winning consecutive national championships. In the College Football Playoff era, only Georgia has gone back to back, in the 2021 and ’22 seasons.
Indiana football has that opportunity in the coming season after its 16-0 run led by coach Curt Cignetti and Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was picked No. 1 overall last week in the NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Josh Hoover, who came from TCU, is the presumed starting quarterback for 2026, and the Hoosiers are looking to replace eight players selected in the draft — and more. Here’s where the experts place IU a few months from its Sept. 5 opener against North Texas.
Indiana football rankings in way-too-early top 25
Indiana football 2026 schedule
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Where Indiana football stands in way-too-early rankings after spring practices
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
