Updated ESPN FPI game-by-game predictions for IU football’s 2026 season

• Alex Bozich

• 54m ago

 

IU football is 2-0 after crushing North Texas 52-16 and Howard 55-0 to open the 2026 season.

The Hoosiers return to action on Saturday afternoon against Western Kentucky at Memorial Stadium.

IU began the season ranked No. 6 in the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI) and remains No. 6.

Here are updated FPI game-by-game projections for IU’s 10 remaining games:

Week 3 – Western Kentucky (September 19)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 99.0%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 97.6%

Week 4 – Northwestern (September 25)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 95.6%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 95.0%

Week 5 – at Rutgers (October 3)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 98.0%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 92.9%

Week 6 – at Nebraska (October 10)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 72.8%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 81.0%

Week 7 – Ohio State (October 17)

Prediction: IU loss
IU’s percentage chance to win: 40.5%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 39.2%

Week 8 – at Michigan (October 24)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 74.8%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 65.5%

Week 9 – Minnesota (October 31)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 97.3%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 95.6%

Week 11 – USC (November 14)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 81.1%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 77.3%

Week 12 – at Washington (November 21)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 87.3%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 76.2%

Week 13 – Purdue (November 28)

Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 96.8%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 96.1%

The ESPN FPI projection remains the same: IU is projected to finish 11-1, losing to Ohio State.

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