League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

ESPN analysts include Indiana in College Football Playoff field for 2026

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 12:00 PM

Last updated Sep 4, 2026

ESPN analysts include Indiana in College Football Playoff field for 2026

Summary

ESPN college football experts have projected Indiana to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff for the 2026 season. A 12-member panel provided seedings for the field, with all participants including the Hoosiers. Individual predictions for the team range from a high of No. 4, suggested by Kyle Bonagura, to a low of No. 8. The program, which finished its 2025 campaign as national champions, enters the current season with a roster bolstered by incoming transfer talent. Indiana joins Ohio State and Oregon as Big Ten programs appearing in every panelist's projected playoff field, while USC also received mentions from three members of the group. The Hoosiers are currently preparing for their third season under Curt Cignetti.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•A 12-member ESPN panel unanimously projects Indiana for the 2026 College Football Playoff.
•Individual expert seedings for the Hoosiers range between No. 4 and No. 8.
•Indiana finished the 2025 season by defeating Miami Hurricanes in the national championship game.
•The Hoosiers added significant transfer talent to the roster during the most recent offseason.
•Ohio State, Oregon, and USC also appear in the ESPN playoff projections.

Latest Updates