Indiana Football Goes 16-0, Wins First National Title

Indiana University just made college football history by becoming the first major program to finish a season 16-0 and win the national championship.

The Hoosiers entered the 2025-26 season with 100-1 odds to win it all. They were bringing in a new quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, and few believed their previous College Football Playoff appearance was anything more than a fluke. Texas was the favorite at much shorter odds, and Miami got more respect at 30-1.

None of that mattered. Indiana won every single game and claimed the trophy in stunning fashion.

The achievement stands alone in college football's modern era. Michigan, Georgia, LSU, and Clemson have all completed 15-0 championship seasons in recent years, but no team had ever gone undefeated through 16 games until now. The expanded playoff format gave Indiana more chances to prove themselves, and they seized every opportunity.

Vegas has taken notice. The Hoosiers opened as fifth favorites for next year's title at 8-1 odds, trailing only Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, and Texas. That's a massive jump from the triple-digit longshot odds they faced just months ago. Some sportsbooks now list Indiana as co-favorites with Ohio State.

For the 2027 championship in Las Vegas, Indiana sits at 8-1 again, showing bookmakers believe this success is no accident. The program has officially arrived as a national power.

The Ripple Effect

Indiana's perfect season sends a powerful message to every underdog program in college sports. The Hoosiers proved that patient building, smart recruiting, and belief in a system can transform even the longest of longshots into champions. Programs that have historically struggled now have a blueprint showing that sustainable success is possible, not just lightning-in-a-bottle moments.

The win energizes an entire state that has long celebrated basketball while watching football from the sidelines. Bloomington is buzzing with championship pride, and young athletes across Indiana now see football as a path to glory alongside hoops. The economic boost from merchandise sales, increased enrollment interest, and tourism will ripple through the community for years.

College football itself benefits from the story. When a 100-1 underdog runs the table, it reminds fans why they love the sport: anything really can happen on any given Saturday.

Indiana proved that dreams backed by hard work can become reality, even when nobody else believes.