IU football is 5-0 after beating North Texas 52-16, Howard 55-0, Western Kentucky 38-0, Northwestern 29-23 and Rutgers 47-15 to begin the 2026 season.
The Hoosiers continue Big Ten play on Saturday afternoon against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska.
IU began the season ranked No. 6 in the ESPN Football Power Index (FPI). Following their Week 5 win against the Scarlet Knights, the Hoosiers are No. 7 in the FPI behind Ohio State, Georgia, Notre Dame, Texas, Miami (FL) and Alabama.
Here are updated FPI game-by-game projections for IU’s seven remaining games:
Week 6 – at Nebraska (October 10)
Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 69.2%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 81.0%
Percentage change since last week: Increased from 67.5 to 69.2 (+1.7%)
Week 7 – Ohio State (October 17)
Prediction: IU loss
IU’s percentage chance to win: 45.9%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 39.2%
Percentage change since last week: Increased from 45.7% to 45.9% (+0.2%)
Week 8 – at Michigan (October 24)
Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 83.0%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 65.5%
Percentage change since last week: Increased from 75.4% to 83.0% (+7.6%)
Week 9 – Minnesota (October 31)
Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 95.6%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 95.6%
Percentage change since last week: Decreased from 95.7% to 95.6% (-0.1%)
Week 11 – USC (November 14)
Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 86.6%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 77.3%
Percentage change since last week: Increased from 84.0% to 86.6% (+2.6%)
Week 12 – at Washington (November 21)
Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 88.7%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 76.2%
Percentage change since last week: Increased from 88.1% to 88.7% (+0.6%)
Week 13 – Purdue (November 28)
Prediction: IU win
IU’s percentage chance to win: 96.9%
IU’s percentage chance to win in the preseason: 96.1%
Percentage change since last week: Decreased from 97.4% to 96.9% (-0.5%)
The ESPN FPI projection remains the same as it was in the preseason. IU is projected to finish 11-1 with a loss to Ohio State at Memorial Stadium.
