Indiana's 2026 football schedule released with dates, opponents and historical nuggets

The Indiana Hoosiers' 2026 football schedule has been released; Indiana enters the year as the reigning national champion after a 16-0 season and Jan. 19 win over Miami, 27-21, and will host Ohio State on Oct. 17 among eight home games at Memorial Stadium.

Indiana enters 2026 as the defending national champion after a 16-0 season and a Jan. 19 victory over Miami, 27-21. The Big Ten moved to a nine-game conference schedule, and in even-numbered years Indiana has five conference home games; for 2026 the Hoosiers also have three nonconference home games, giving them eight games at Memorial Stadium. The school's released schedule lists several high-profile matchups and a compact midseason stretch with only one bye week. Key details: - Indiana will begin the 2026 campaign as the reigning national champion after finishing 16-0 and winning the title game on Jan. 19 by beating Miami, 27-21. - The Big Ten uses a nine-game conference slate; Indiana has five conference home games in 2026 and three nonconference home games, totaling eight home dates at Memorial Stadium. - A marquee home game against Ohio State is set for Oct. 17; the two teams met in the previous Big Ten Championship Game. - Nonconference home opponents listed include North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky; Indiana also hosts USC and closes the regular season with the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry vs Purdue. - The regular season schedule includes only one bye week, coming after nine straight games, with exact game times and television windows still to be announced. Summary: The released schedule frames a 2026 season with several notable opponents and a condensed midseason stretch that features just one bye week. Exact kickoff times and television assignments remain to be announced, and the schedule highlights the Oct. 17 meeting with Ohio State as a key date on the calendar.