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

Indiana ranked No. 6 in AP Poll to start title defense

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 10:28 AM

Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Indiana ranked No. 6 in AP Poll to start title defense

Summary

Indiana begins the 2026 season ranked No. 6 in the Associated Press Poll, following its undefeated championship run last year. Historically, it's uncommon for defending champions to start outside the top five, with only six instances since the BCS began in 1998. Previous champions that faced similar rankings have struggled in their title defenses, raising questions for Indiana after the loss of Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the NFL. Indiana retained 60 players, including 11 starters from last season, and brought in the No. 8 transfer class, aiming to improve the trend of teams outside the top five failing to finish well.

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By the Numbers

•Indiana ranked No. 6 in AP Poll for 2026 season
•Defending champions ranked outside top five only six times since 1998
•Previous champions like LSU and Auburn struggled after similar drops
•60 players return, including 11 starters from championship team
•Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman winner, was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders

Latest Updates

10:28 AMYahoo Sports — How rare is Indiana's poll ranking for a defending national champ?

What they're saying

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Indiana begins its title defense at No. 6, and nearly three decades of AP preseason polls show just how unusual that starting point is for champs.
— Yahoo Sports

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