Overview
- Indiana staged an outdoor championship rally at Memorial Stadium on Jan. 24, proceeding in single-digit temperatures with subzero wind chills and Big Ten Network coverage.
- Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza thanked fans at the event after announcing he will enter this year's NFL draft following the 27-21 title win over Miami.
- Indiana has added TCU transfer quarterback Josh Hoover, with several key contributors from the championship roster not returning, signaling significant turnover.
- Fox Sports' Joel Klatt slotted the Hoosiers at No. 3 in his early 2026 rankings, citing the lack of a returning starting quarterback but praising the retention of coordinators Mike Shanahan and Bryant Haynes.
- Reports tie the program’s rise to aggressive transfer-portal use under Curt Cignetti and a near-doubling of Indiana’s football budget over three years, underscoring institutional investment in the sport.