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· collected 2026-08-18 · by Michael Marot The Associated Press
The University of Indiana's football team, ranked No. 6, is set to begin its new season after completing a perfect 16-0 championship run in 2025. The key will be whether the team can replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza and other losses with a strong supporting cast. The Hoosiers have bolstered their defense with the return of two starters and added several new players, but may struggle with depth at wide receiver after losing six top pass-catchers last season. Their first game is on September 5 against North Texas.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-18,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The sixth-ranked Indiana Hoosiers are looking to replicate their magical 16-0 championship season from last year, but they face a challenge in replacing Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was drafted by the NFL as its No. 1 overall pick. To help build on their success, coach Curt Cignetti will rely on players like 2025 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year Carter Smith, as well as two returning starters from last year, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt. The team's new quarterback, Josh Hoover, will need to improve on his performance at TCU, where he struggled with turnovers. Indiana begins its bid for a second consecutive Big Ten and national title on September 5, when it hosts North Texas.
Written for “No. 6 Indiana Basketball Team” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 1061 · logged 2026-08-25
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — 2025 record: 16-0
Expectations
The sixth-ranked Hoosiers will be hard-pressed to match last season’s magical national championship run.
asserted
Hoosiers → rank → run
They must replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the NFL’s No. 1 overall draft pick and one of a school-record eight draftees in April.
asserted
They → replace → April
Two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti will not bend his standards, especially after winning the titles he promised.
asserted
he → bend → titles
Sure, it will be a challenge to improve on the first 16-0 season in major college football since the 1890s.
asserted
it → improve → 1890s
But Cignetti has plenty of replacements — and holdovers — to produce a worthy sequel.
asserted
Cignetti → have → sequel
He can build around 2025 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year Carter Smith on offense and a stout front on defense, a group that has been bolstered by the late additions of two returning starters from last year ( Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt).
asserted
that → build → year
The key will be whether a stronger supporting cast and a more run-heavy system helps Mendoza’s replacement, Josh Hoover, to cut down on the turnovers that vexed him at TCU.
asserted
that → support → TCU
Indiana’s bid for second straight Big Ten and national titles begins Sept. 5 when it hosts North Texas.
asserted
it → begin → Texas
The offensive and defensive lines are the meat and potatoes of Cignetti’s teams, and the Hoosiers have enough experience and depth to be among the nation’s top units on both fronts.
asserted
Hoosiers → have → fronts
Indiana returns Smith, its starting left tackle, along with starting left guard Drew Evans.
asserted
Indiana → return → Evans
It also has all-Big Ten guard Joe Brunner, a transfer from Wisconsin.
asserted
It → have → Wisconsin
And Adedamola Ajani and Bray Lynch, key backups last season, could play larger roles this season.
uncertain
Ajani → play → roles
Defensively, the return of Daley and Wyatt fortifies a line that already had two other starters back in Mario Landino and Tyrique Tucker.
asserted
that → fortify → Landino
The Hoosiers also added former Kansas State teammates Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi, former Notre Dame lineman Josh Burnham and former Tulsa lineman Joe Hjelle.
asserted
Hoosiers → add → teammates
Weaknesses could include depth at wideout
The biggest question may be how quickly a receiving corps that lost six of its top seven pass-catchers last year gels.
uncertain
that → include → catchers
Charlie Becker will play an expanded role after being a key cog in the Big Ten title game and the playoff run.
asserted
Becker → play → game
The transfer portal added other options, too.
asserted
portal → add → options
WR Nick Marsh has a big body and could be a downfield threat after two strong seasons at Michigan State.
uncertain
Marsh → have → State
Former Michigan WR Tyler Morris missed all of last season with an injury but started four games for the 2023 national champs, and Shazz Preston started 13 games last season for playoff-bound Tulane.
asserted
Preston → miss → Tulane
