2026 Indiana Football Schedule Preview — Part 2: The Big Ten Begins

<p>The non-conference schedule gets you ready. <strong>The Big Ten schedule defines you.</strong></p><p>On this edition of <strong>Hoosier Football Tailgate</strong>, Coach Griff continues the four-part 2026 Indiana Football Schedule Preview as the Hoosiers open conference play with three very different challenges:</p><p>🏈 <strong>Northwestern — Sept. 25 | Bloomington</strong><br>🏈 <strong>at Rutgers — Oct. 3 | Piscataway</strong><br>🏈 <strong>at Nebraska — Oct. 10 | Lincoln</strong></p><p>Coach Griff goes inside each matchup with a complete opponent scouting report, including 2025 offensive and defensive performance, key returning players, strengths and weaknesses, matchup concerns, keys to victory, and predictions.</p><p>The trip to <strong>Nebraska</strong> stands out as Indiana&#39;s first true road test of the season—and the first meeting between the programs since the Hoosiers&#39; dominating 2024 victory in Bloomington.</p><p>Plus, <strong>Coach Griff&#39;s 5 Headlines That Matter</strong> covers the biggest stories around college football, including SEC Media Days, Greg Sankey and the future of NCAA governance, the upcoming Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, Indiana&#39;s recruiting momentum, the Protect College Sports Act, and the latest developments surrounding Michigan athletics and Warde Manuel.</p><p>🎥 <strong>COACH GRIFF&#39;S VIDEO ROOM:</strong> We get on the board and break down two staples of the Hoosiers&#39; run game—<strong>Troop Power and Trio Counter</strong>—explaining the blocking schemes, defensive keys, and why gap-scheme football matters against Big Ten defenses.</p><p>🎙️ <strong>Hoosier Football Tailgate</strong><br>Powered by <strong>TheHoosier.com | On3</strong></p><p><strong>Fast. Physical. Relentless.</strong></p><p>#IndianaFootball #Hoosiers #HoosierFootballTailgate #BigTenFootball #CurtCignetti #CollegeFootball</p><p><br></p>