⚡ CFB Dashboard

- After eight long months since Indiana hoisted the national championship, Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers are almost set to kick off the 2026 football season this Saturday against North Texas. - The spotlight and expectations have never been bigger, which means the eyes of college football will descend upon Bloomington this fall.

- Indiana's projected defensive front pairs Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino inside, with Tulsa transfer Joe Hjelle and highly reviewed freshman Blake Smythe leading the tackle rotation. - Kansas State transfer Tobi Osunsanmi and Notre Dame transfer Joshua Burnham are projected to start at edge after both performed well in practice, with Daniel Ndukwe and Chiddi Obiazor positioned as the top reserves. - Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt remain in eligibility jeopardy after an appeals-court reversal, and the timing of any state-court resolution is unknown. - Isaiah Jones and Rolijah Hardy project as the starting linebackers, with Jones handling the green-dot communication and veteran reserves Kaiden Turner and Jeff Utzinger supplying experienced depth. - Jamari Sharpe has secured one corner spot while Ryland Gandy and A.J. Harris compete opposite him, and the projected back end features Amare Ferrell, Wisconsin transfer Preston Zachman and rover Byron Baldwin.

- True freshman defensive tackle Blake Smythe is making a strong case for immediate playing time because of his rapid understanding of assignments and Indiana's defensive scheme. - The 6-foot-4, 300-pound Smythe enrolled in January and has combined college-ready size and athleticism with unusually fast processing for a freshman. - Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino are expected to handle most defensive-tackle snaps, but Smythe is positioned as one of Indiana's first rotational options. - Landino says Smythe still makes normal freshman mistakes but has already progressed further than Landino had at the same career stage.