The Indiana Hoosiers probably shouldn't expect to have another 16-0 run through the College Football Playoff to claim another national championship in 2026/2027. Tougher times are almost undoubtedly up ahead, and those cheering for their downfall may have a good idea of when it will come.
CBS Sports' Brad Crawford narrowed a potential rough stretch for IU as their three-weekend stretch before the bye of facing the Ohio State Buckeyes, TTUN, and the Minnesota Golden Gophers in October. Crawford labeled Minnesota as a potential "trap game" for the defending champions.
"Curt Cignetti may blow this blurb up and plaster it across his locker room, but it needs to be said -- don't assume the Hoosiers will beat up on every opponent they can out-athlete next season. There were a couple of close calls during last year's rise to No. 1 against non-Big Ten contenders -- a result of every team giving its best shot, given Indiana's heightened praise in the polls," Crawford wrote.
"P.J. Fleck's teams are always prepared, and Indiana comes in off consecutive contests with Ohio State and Michigan. This is a tough ask for the Golden Gophers, but they do have four ranked wins over the last three seasons, and the Hoosiers won't be entering this game with any margin for error. Be careful, Indiana."
Indiana can't afford to a loss to Ohio State or Minnesota
Truth be told, Indiana should want to lose to TTUN if the Hoosiers are to take a loss to any of Crawford's aforementioned three programs. Losing to Ohio State will have Buckeye fans labeling Indiana a one-year wonder, while losing to the Gophers would make IU somewhat of a laughingstock, even though Minnesota has been a respectable brand for most of the last decade.
Many Minnesotans, unfortunately, forget the Gophers even exist. The IU-U of MN matchup takes place in Bloomington on Halloween night, which means only a small contingent of Minnesota fans will even be in attendance. Imagine catching Hoosier fans in their costumes crashing out because of an unfathomable upset to the Gophers?
Indiana needs to take care of business next October, as daunting as it seems right now. The Hoosiers have five games that month, with one of them being the Nebraska Cornhuskers, whom Crawford deemed a potential "trap game" for Ohio State.
Time will tell if IU can remain a national presence or if some trapdoors will lead the Hoosiers to their fall from grace.