2026 IUFB Season

[IU5355]

Assuming we dont get any unexpected portal announcements, We are returning a significant amount of players who either started or majorly contributed to this year's National Championship team. 

OLINE

Smith, evans, lynch, Ajani

 

BACKS

Martin

 

WRs

Becker

 

DLINE

Tucker, Landino, Ndukwe

 

LBs

Hardy

Jones

 

SECONDARY

Ferrell

Sharpe

 

And a boatload of guys who stuck around and are going to fill depth spots. 

 

[rcbowla]

54 minutes ago, IU5355 said:

Assuming we dont get any unexpected portal announcements, We are returning a significant amount of players who either started or majorly contributed to this year's National Championship team. 

OLINE

Smith, evans, lynch, Ajani

 

BACKS

Martin

 

WRs

Becker

 

DLINE

Tucker, Landino, Ndukwe

 

LBs

Hardy

Jones

 

SECONDARY

Ferrell

Sharpe

 

And a boatload of guys who stuck around and are going to fill depth spots. 

 

Add Radicic for ST 

[MartintheMopMan]

1 hour ago, Hardwood83 said:

I get what you are saying, and agree the pieces are there. Both lines could be better, and the schedule is managable, not a bad place to start! Losing Mendoza is obviously the single biggest loss, but I am more worried about the Defense. Moore & Fischer leave huge voids, for their intangibles as much as their talent. 

True, the culture of winning and expectations are in place....at Indiana! 

 

It really depends on your trust in Cig.

Fernando is a loss, for sure, he was a tough Heisman-quality QB. But I recall some similar questions last year where we knew Fernando was an upgrade from Rourke in skill and historical production, but were less sure how he would work out behind the scenes and his fit in the system. And that there were concerns about him after ODU. But, everything gelled and became pretty amazing. I don't know enough about Hoover to say if he comes from the same mold or not because I've been pretty focused on the outgoing team. I'll watch some interviews and tape and see how much I can see of what Cig sees. But, I know he is already better than Fernando in some areas. A little development and the right attitude and he could slot right in. Fernando was not some otherworldly talent, but his weaknesses could be covered by his strengths, scheme, fit with other players, intelligence, and discipline. If Cig thinks Hoover can develop in the same way, then I trust him.

Moore and Fischer leave huge voids, but so did Wyatt, Daley, and Bonds during the season. But Cig trusted the guys he had on the roster to fill those voids and they did. Fischer has a unique role, but Cig knows that and knows he has to fill that space. Has he ever given me a reason to think he won't fill the space with someone nearly as good or even better? 

I understand being skeptical, I'm a very skeptical person, but Cig has constantly been shown to have a plan and to be able to execute it. If he's not worried, I'm not worried.

[Banksyrules]

Dline transfers look extra mean and fast. Could be better in that department.

[Stuhoo]

46 minutes ago, rcbowla said:

Add Radicic for ST 

And Beebe at rb.

 

[Magnanimous]

1 hour ago, MartintheMopMan said:

It really depends on your trust in Cig.

Fernando is a loss, for sure, he was a tough Heisman-quality QB. But I recall some similar questions last year where we knew Fernando was an upgrade from Rourke in skill and historical production, but were less sure how he would work out behind the scenes and his fit in the system. And that there were concerns about him after ODU. But, everything gelled and became pretty amazing. I don't know enough about Hoover to say if he comes from the same mold or not because I've been pretty focused on the outgoing team. I'll watch some interviews and tape and see how much I can see of what Cig sees. But, I know he is already better than Fernando in some areas. A little development and the right attitude and he could slot right in. Fernando was not some otherworldly talent, but his weaknesses could be covered by his strengths, scheme, fit with other players, intelligence, and discipline. If Cig thinks Hoover can develop in the same way, then I trust him.

Moore and Fischer leave huge voids, but so did Wyatt, Daley, and Bonds during the season. But Cig trusted the guys he had on the roster to fill those voids and they did. Fischer has a unique role, but Cig knows that and knows he has to fill that space. Has he ever given me a reason to think he won't fill the space with someone nearly as good or even better? 

I understand being skeptical, I'm a very skeptical person, but Cig has constantly been shown to have a plan and to be able to execute it. If he's not worried, I'm not worried.

Agreed. Look, this will be a new team next year and they should be afforded patience to develop and form their own identity. There will be a new QB who may play a little differently than what we just saw with Fernando (God knows he sure will act differently haha). Our offensive philosophy may change a bit based on his tools and the weapons around him. There may be growing pains and a need to find confidence and a voice in the huddle. Hoover could also be a gunslinger with 50 TDs next year and win the Heisman. Who knows?

The only thing we can say for certain is that unless next year’s team goes undefeated with a national championship, they will not match this year’s team in terms of on-field accomplishments. But is it really fair to expect that of them? The expectation should be to compete and continue the growth of this program, and if done correctly we will continue to produce top 10 wins and playoff appearances. The rest will be confetti most, if not all years.

The worst thing our fans could do next season is reduce interest if they go [9-3]. Cig knows what he’s doing. We’re well positioned to compete for the playoffs again, and all things considered we are actually bringing a lot back compared to a good chunk of the country.

[8bucks]

I think the biggest potential loss is going from the chip on our shoulder, let me show you edge we ave had to being the team everyone is circling on their calendar.  Urban mentioned something like this and after he won his first championship this change was huge.  Cig is great and can probably still get them to play with an edge but it is easier when all of college football doubts you for most of 2 years. 

[Brass Cannon]

6 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

I think the biggest potential loss is going from the chip on our shoulder, let me show you edge we ave had to being the team everyone is circling on their calendar.  Urban mentioned something like this and after he won his first championship this change was huge.  Cig is great and can probably still get them to play with an edge but it is easier when all of college football doubts you for most of 2 years. 

True but some of our top guys including our QB didn’t get to bask in that successful.  They have to contend with proving they can be part of a special team as well.  

[AZ Hoosier]

18 minutes ago, 8bucks said:

I think the biggest potential loss is going from the chip on our shoulder, let me show you edge we ave had to being the team everyone is circling on their calendar.  Urban mentioned something like this and after he won his first championship this change was huge.  Cig is great and can probably still get them to play with an edge but it is easier when all of college football doubts you for most of 2 years. 

We will lose games in the future. It won't change what happened this year, or what Indiana football has become.

I believe in Cignetti. He's got the experience to lead. He has changed the culture. He has guys in place who understand the new Indiana culture - guys who cal lead and teach and perpetuate the new Indiana culture. And between Cig, his coaching staff and the leaders on the team, I have confidence that we will be just fine.

It's true, we won't be sneaking up on anyone any more. But that's fine, too. It's who we are now. #neverDaunted

[Brass Cannon]

Only player to have a +28 Win differential season to season. 

[Hoosierfan2017]

8 hours ago, 8bucks said:

I think the biggest potential loss is going from the chip on our shoulder, let me show you edge we ave had to being the team everyone is circling on their calendar.  Urban mentioned something like this and after he won his first championship this change was huge.  Cig is great and can probably still get them to play with an edge but it is easier when all of college football doubts you for most of 2 years. 

Luckily for us, with how stupid a large segment of college football media is, it’s likely that we’ll continue to be doubted next season by the same goobers who doubted us until the very end of this past season. 

[Magnanimous]

25 minutes ago, Hoosierfan2017 said:

Luckily for us, with how stupid a large segment of college football media is, it’s likely that we’ll continue to be doubted next season by the same goobers who doubted us until the very end of this past season. 

 

[MartintheMopMan]

10 hours ago, Brass Cannon said:

Only player to have a +28 Win differential season to season. 

Holy **** look at the difference in his body. Stephen Daley (Indiana) would beat the absolute **** out of Stephen Daley (Kent State) even one-legged. (A little bit of that is him flexing in the second picture like before and after shots in infomercials, but not all)

[BtownStrength]

2026 schedule should be released this afternoon I believe 

[southsidehoosier]

14 minutes ago, BtownStrength said:

2026 schedule should be released this afternoon I believe 

2023 - “Hey who are we playing today”

2026 - “Hey who are we playing 8 months from now”

[Hovadipo]

34 minutes ago, BtownStrength said:

2026 schedule should be released this afternoon I believe 

5:30 on BTN.

[Jeff Flabjohns]

Week 12 we’re at Washington. Didn’t realize that had already been released. Obviously Purdue follows that at home 

[LIHoosier]

Good, I don't have to freeze to death to see IU at Rutger

3 out of 4 weeks on the road with O$U the only home game is a stretch (even if one of them is Rutger)

[Hovadipo]

That Week 10 bye is going to be sorely (lol) needed. I love our schedule otherwise. 

[BtownStrength]

Not a bad draw outside of OSU and Michigan back to back. Love that we have a late bye before USC and Washington.