Overview
- Coach Curt Cignetti signaled a shift from celebration to preparation at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday, saying he is ready to return to work and stressing standards and accountability for the title defense.
- Indiana must replace several high-impact starters taken in the NFL draft, including No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza and receivers Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt, leaving clear holes in the passing game and on defense.
- Incoming transfer quarterback Josh Hoover is slated to run the offense but carries turnover concerns from his time at TCU that make passing-game consistency a central question for 2026.
- The staff returns key continuity with offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines remaining in place, and recent recruiting wins such as five-star receiver Monshun Sales give the program fresh talent to plug gaps.
- Indiana faces a tougher 2026 path with road games at Nebraska, Michigan and Washington plus home matchups with Ohio State and USC, a slate that will test whether the Hoosiers can replace lost production and repeat as champions.