#5 Indiana Travels to Ann Arbor to Open Big Ten Play

Indiana’s Week in Review

The Indiana Hoosiers have now risen all the way up to rank 5th in the country. No, not in football, though that is accurate, but in football. Jokes aside, the Hoosiers truly look like one of the best teams in the country and are well primed to challenge for yet another national title to make it their ninth in program history. Before we get ahead of ourselves though, let’s look at Indiana’s past two games from this week:

First the Hoosiers beat the Cal Poly Mustangs in a 2-0 win where the boys in cream and crimson battled the heat and played a strong game. Check out Campbell Manahan’s wonderful recap for more details here. Next, Indiana faced off against the Denver University Pioneers and controlled much of the game. The Hoosiers won 3-1 as they continued their hot streak to begin the season. To read more on the Denver match, check out Ashton Enlow’s wonderful recap here.

Indiana vs. Michigan Preview + Prediction

The Hoosiers now boast a record of 5-0-1 and are one of the most dangerous teams in the country in attack while also boasting one of the most solid and intelligent defenses in the country as well. They are a complete team, but the true tests are coming as Big Ten play opens on Friday, 9/11 in Ann Arbor against the University of Michigan Wolverines.

The Wolverines, while typically a strong program when it comes to soccer, are not off to the best start. They began the season drawing 0-0 to Loyola Marymount before beating Niagara 3-1 and SIU Edwardsville 3-2. Then, they traveled to South Bend to take on Notre Dame – a common opponent with Indiana – and lost 2-1 (Indiana beat the Fighting Irish 3-1 about three weeks ago). Michigan’s defense seems to be an issue this season and Indiana’s elite attackers will be able to take advantage.

Because of Indiana’s elite start and talent on the pitch compared with Michigan’s slow start and lacking defense, I am predicting that Indiana opens up Big Ten play with a massively important win away from Bloomington. Give me a 2-1 Indiana win.

The game will be taking place on September 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET. The game will be shown on B1G+.

Upcoming Indiana Schedule

After the Hoosiers travel to Ann Arbor, they will then return home to take on the defending national champion Washington Huskies on Friday, 9/18 at 7:30 PM ET. That game will be broadcasted on B1G+. Be on the lookout for another preview piece from me ahead of that matchup as well.

As always, thanks for reading! Stay locked in with Hoosier Huddle for all things Indiana soccer – and Indiana sports in general – all season long. Go Hoosiers!