Rating IU soccer’s 2026 video games from best to hardest – The Daily Hoosier

Which 2026 video games current the largest obstacles to an IU soccer program intent on a third-straight look within the College Football Playoff?

The Hoosiers ought to have a very good probability for a quick begin as they put the nation’s longest total successful streak, and the longest residence successful streak, on the road.

Below we rank every of their 12 video games from best to hardest.

vs. Howard, Sept. 12

The mixed rating of Indiana’s final two video games towards an FCS opponent is 150-3, and there’s not a lot purpose to anticipate a considerably completely different final result this time round.  Howard is on no account an FCS energy, they usually’ve gone via an offseason teaching change.

vs. North Texas, Sept. 5

Don’t give attention to North Texas’ 2025 outcomes.  Yes they went 12-2, however they’ve since needed to change the top coach and most of their manufacturing on each side of the ball.  Although they did add 22 Power 4 transfers, this isn’t Joe Greene’s Mean Green, and never even final yr’s Mean Green.

vs. Western Kentucky, Sept. 19

Head coach Ty Helton has been round for some time and runs a very good program at WKU.  His air raid offense has given IU bother up to now.  Like most G5 groups, the Hilltoppers have undergone important roster and employees upheaval, however the continuity on the prime helps.

vs. Purdue, Nov. 28

Purdue hasn’t gained a Big Ten sport since 2023, and in the event that they haven’t grabbed a convention win by the season finale, it’ll be three straight winless years within the league.  Barry Odom has some continuity this yr with roughly the identical returning manufacturing as IU.  So the Boilermakers must be extra respectable, if not a menace to beat the Hoosiers.

vs. Northwestern, Sept. 26

The Wildcats made life troublesome for opponents final season with a decent protection.  Unfortunately for them, most of their offseason losses got here on the defensive aspect of the ball.  NU has had Chip Kelly to aim to spark the offense, and he’ll have Big Ten veteran Aiden Chiles as QB.

at Rutgers, Oct. 3

Indiana’s first highway journey seems on paper to be its most winnable sport away from Memorial Stadium.  Rutgers is coming off a disappointing 5-7 season and didn’t hit it out of the park with switch portal replacements after shedding greater than half their manufacturing on each side of the ball.  Greg Schiano is an effective coach, however he’ll be rolling with a comparatively unproven quarterback.

vs. Minnesota, Oct. 31

Minnesota has been one of many extra underappreciated Big Ten groups during the last decade.  They have eight or extra wins in 4 of the final 5 seasons underneath coach P.J. Fleck.  And the Gophers rank within the top-10 nationally in SP+ returning manufacturing.  After back-to-back brutal video games vs. Ohio State and Michigan, this most likely gained’t be simple.

vs. USC, Nov. 14

The solely Big Ten group IU has by no means defeated involves Memorial Stadium in mid-November.  The Trojans will arrive in Bloomington with employees continuity, an elite quarterback, and excessive total returning manufacturing on the roster.  According to SP+ that is IU’s second-best opponent.  But the Hoosiers are at residence and will probably be coming off a much-needed bye.

at Nebraska, Oct. 10

Nebraska has a good probability to begin the season 5-0 forward of this sport.  The program is in desperation mode as Matt Rhule tries to salvage his tenure in Lincoln.  90,000-plus will probably be at their finest in what may find yourself being a College Gameday atmosphere. The Huskers rank third in returning roster manufacturing, however it might all come down as to whether quarterback Anthony Colandrea is prepared for the massive stage.

at Washington, Nov. 21

Washington is without doubt one of the harder highway venues within the Big Ten, and the Huskies undertaking to be fairly good in 2026.  QB Demond Williams highlights strong returning manufacturing.  Who is aware of the place these groups will probably be this late within the season, however practically six months out this appears to be like like a serious problem.

at Michigan, Oct. 24

Indiana has not gained a sport in Ann Arbor since 1967.  Of course many longstanding streaks have ended within the final two years, however this gained’t be simple, particularly given the sport that comes simply earlier than this one.  QB Bryce Underwood will must be a lot better than his freshman season, however Michigan has a way more competent teaching employees led by Kyle Whittingham.

vs. Ohio State, Oct. 17

This has the potential to be the largest sport ever performed at Memorial Stadium.  If each groups are undefeated it may very well be the second No. 1 vs. No. 2 assembly of those packages in 10 months.  The Buckeyes may have revenge on their minds, whereas the Hoosiers will try to ascertain a development of convention superiority.  OSU is the SP+ preseason No. 1, and return QB Julian Sayin and WR Jeremiah Smith.

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