ESPN's Paul Finebaum sounds off on Indiana's national championship hopes

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

ESPN's Paul Finebaum sounds off on Indiana's national championship hopes

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Aug 18, 2026 5:19 PM ET

The Indiana Hoosiers took the college football world by storm last season, going 16-0 and capturing their first national championship in program history.

Expectations are once again high this season for the Hoosiers, as they were ranked No. 6 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll. Some, though, believe that last season's success in not attainable in back-to-back years and that Indiana fans will be left severely disappointed this season.

Paul Finebaum believes the Hoosiers have no chance

ESPN personality Paul Finebaum appeared on "First Take" on Tuesday, and he was asked about Indiana's chances at winning a second consecutive national championship.

Finebaum's answer was extremely passionate, but Hoosiers fans won't like it.

"Slow down a little bit. ... You had your day, you'll have some fun, but you're not winning the national championship this year," Finebaum said of Indiana.

"Slow down a little bit. ... You had your day, you'll have some fun, but you're not winning the National Championship this year."
@finebaum sees NO chance in Indiana winning the National Championship pic.twitter.com/NfZqVdhXJ2
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 18, 2026

Paul Finebaum was critical of Indiana's schedule

Finebaum's main talking point was the lack of competition in the early part of Indiana's schedule that then turns into a tough span of games down the stretch.

He does believe that the Hoosiers will still be a playoff team, but nowhere near good enough as the team that won the national championship last season.

All the success will come down to quarterback play

Indiana will be quarterbacked by Josh Hoover this season as he replaces Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2026 NFL Draft.

A successful season from Hoover should signal a successful season as a team, but only time will tell if Indiana is able to become the first repeat champion since the Georgia Bulldogs in 2021 and 2022.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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