Playoff team? Doesn't matter. Big Ten media poll still doubting Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers
Take Cleveland.com's Stephen Means, who compiled the outlet's annual Big Ten preseason media poll. Each voter ranked teams from 1 to 18, with first-place votes worth 18 points, second worth 17, and so on.
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Despite last year's success, the Hoosiers landed at No. 6 in the poll — surprisingly behind both Michigan and Illinois. They earned 305 points and an average rank of 6.80. For a team coming off a Playoff appearance, that feels low.
Michigan being ranked ahead of them? Fair enough. The Wolverines won a national title two years ago and just landed Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country.
But Illinois jumping them? That one's harder to justify.
Indiana's roster looks stronger than it did a year ago. Cignetti brought in Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza to replace Kurtis Rourke at quarterback and added Maryland running back Roman Hemby to pair with Kaelon Black in the backfield.
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Up front, the offense got a boost with Notre Dame transfer and former four-star Pat Coogan stepping in at center. For a group that already looked explosive last season, this unit could take another step forward.
Defensively, Indiana returns a stacked group headlined by pass rusher Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, safety Amare Ferrell, and Jamari Sharpe. All five could be early-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Yes, Illinois has a soft schedule — similar to what Indiana had last year — and returns one of the highest percentages of production in the Big Ten. But in today's college football world, where the transfer portal and NIL dominate roster building, that doesn't carry as much weight.
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Illinois also lost their top two receivers in Pat Bryant and Zakari Franklin to the NFL and added just one marquee name in four-star defensive lineman James Thompson Jr.
Meanwhile, Indiana returns most of its core — and could realistically field one of the best offenses in the country. Cignetti should have the edge early as Bielema and his team still have plenty to prove.
Indiana has the talent, depth, and momentum to build off last year's breakthrough — and if the Hoosiers keep trending up, the rest of the Big Ten won't be able to ignore them much longer.
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