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Indiana football adds 3 future nonconference opponents, cancels series with Virginia

Browning Headshotby: Zach Browning07/15/25ZachBrowning17
NCAA Football: Michigan at Indiana
Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Indiana football has added three nonconference opponents to its future schedules and canceled its planned home-and-home series with Virginia.

According to On3’s Brett McMurphy, the Hoosiers will host Kennesaw State in their 2027 season opener, Austin Peay in the 2028 opener, and Eastern Illinois in Week 2 of the 2029 season. All three games will be played in Bloomington.

The additions follow Indiana’s decision to withdraw from its scheduled series with Virginia, which was set to begin Sept. 4, 2027, in Charlottesville, with the return game in Bloomington on Sept. 16, 2028. According to The Herald-Times, Indiana will pay $500,000 to the University of Virginia to exit the agreement.

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The canceled series and recent additions reflect a shift in nonconference scheduling strategy at Indiana and across the Big Ten.

When the Virginia series was scheduled in 2021, Big Ten programs were required to face at least one Power Four nonconference opponent. That requirement is reportedly being phased out, prompting some schools to reevaluate their future matchups.

Indiana’s 2027 nonconference slate now includes home games against Kennesaw State, Indiana State and UMass — all non-Power Four opponents. The Hoosiers currently have only one nonconference game scheduled in 2028 — against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 9 — and are seeking two more opponents to complete that season’s schedule.

The 2026 nonconference lineup also remains incomplete, with games against Colorado State and Western Kentucky already set in Bloomington and one additional opponent still to be announced.

This is not the first recent adjustment to Indiana’s scheduling. The Hoosiers previously canceled a home-and-home series with Louisville that was agreed upon in 2015 and set for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Those games were replaced by matchups with FIU, Western Illinois and Charlotte in 2024, and games against Kennesaw State, Indiana State and UMass in 2025.

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Looking further ahead, Indiana maintains a pair of future high-profile matchups. A home-and-home series with Notre Dame is scheduled to begin in 2030.

As the College Football Playoff format evolves — with discussions underway about expanding from 12 to 16 teams — many programs are prioritizing more favorable nonconference schedule. Indiana’s latest moves are consistent with that emerging trend.

Below is a look at all of Indiana’s reported future opponents and dates — all future schedules are subject to change.

2026 Season

Sep. 5: Colorado State (Bloomington)

Sep. 19: Western Kentucky (Bloomington)

Big Ten homes games: Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, USC

Big Ten road games: Michigan, Nebraska, Rutgers, Washington

2027 Season

Sep. 4: Kennesaw State (Bloomington)

Sep. 11: Indiana State (Bloomington)

Sep. 18: UMass (Bloomington)

Big Ten homes games: Iowa, Michigan, Penn State, Rutgers

Big Ten road games: Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, USC

2028 Season

Sep. 2: Austin Peay (Bloomington)

Sep. 9: Eastern Michigan (Bloomington)

Big Ten homes games: Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Purdue, Washington

Big Ten road games: Northwestern, Penn State, UCLA, Wisconsin

2029 Season

Sep. 1: Ball State (Bloomington)

Sep. 8: Eastern Illinois (Bloomington)

Sep. 15: Western Kentucky (Bloomington)

2030 Season

Aug. 31: at Notre Dame (South Bend, Ind.)

Sep. 14: Delaware (Bloomington)

2031 Season

Sep. 27: Notre Dame (Bloomington)

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