So, if you’re looking for the IU football score today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, here’s the deal: they didn’t play.
I know, I know. You see the "1" next to their name and you expect them to be on the field every single Saturday. But right now, the Hoosiers are in that weird, tense "quiet before the storm" phase. They are currently in Miami, probably sweating through their practice jerseys at the Beach Convention Center or sitting through endless film sessions.
The next time they actually suit up is Monday night, January 19. That is the one everyone has been waiting for. The College Football Playoff National Championship against Miami.
Honestly, even saying that out loud feels like a fever dream. If you told an Indiana fan two years ago that they’d be sitting at 15-0, with a Heisman winner under center, preparing for a natty in South Beach, they’d have asked what you were drinking. But here we are.
The Road to 15-0: How We Got Here
The last time we saw a final IU football score, it was a total bloodbath in the Peach Bowl. Indiana absolutely dismantled Oregon 56-22 on January 9. It wasn’t even competitive. Fernando Mendoza—yeah, the guy who just hauled a Heisman back to Bloomington—looked like he was playing a video game on rookie mode.
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Most people thought the Rose Bowl against Alabama on New Year's Day was going to be the "reality check" for Curt Cignetti’s squad. Instead, IU won 38-3. 38 to 3. Against Bama. It’s the kind of season that makes you question if the simulation is glitching.
Here is a quick look at how the back half of this historic run shook out:
- They went into the Big Ten Championship and gritted out a 13-10 win over Ohio State. Defense wins championships, right?
- They steamrolled Purdue 56-3 to keep the Bucket.
- They went to Happy Valley in November and silenced 100,000 people with a 27-24 win over Penn State.
It’s been a relentless march. Cignetti famously told people to "Google me" when he got hired, and it turns out the guy wasn't kidding. He wins.
What's Happening in Miami Right Now?
Today was actually Media Day down in Florida. Cignetti sat at the podium at the Miami Beach Convention Center and did his usual thing—blunt, confident, and zero fluff. He told reporters today that he’s "not an NFL guy" and isn't looking at those open pro jobs. He’s focused on one thing: Monday night at Hard Rock Stadium.
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The vibe in Miami is basically a Hoosier takeover. The alumni base is massive, and they’ve descended on South Florida in droves. Tickets are apparently soaring into the thousands on the secondary market. If you don't have a seat yet, you're probably watching from a bar on Washington Ave with a few hundred other people wearing cream and crimson.
The Mendoza Factor
You can't talk about this team without talking about Fernando Mendoza. The Cal transfer has been the heartbeat of this offense. He set the school record with 41 touchdown passes this year.
He’s poised. He doesn’t make mistakes. More importantly, he has these weapons like Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper who just seem to catch everything thrown within a five-yard radius. The Hurricanes have a terrifying defensive front, but Mendoza has shown all year that he can handle the heat.
Scouting the Hurricanes: The Monday Night Matchup
Miami is playing this game on their home turf, effectively. They are 13-2, led by Carson Beck, and they play a very "ugly" style of football that wins games. They want to grind you down in the trenches.
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Most experts are split. Some see Indiana's elite offense as too much for the Canes to handle. Others think Miami’s physical defensive line will finally be the thing that slows the Hoosier's roll.
One thing is for sure: the IU football score today is 0-0 because the real battle hasn't started.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan, or just someone jumping on the bandwagon (it’s okay, there’s room), here is how to prep for Monday:
- Check the TV Schedule: The game kicks off at 7:40 p.m. ET on ESPN. Don't be late; IU has been known to score in the first three minutes of games all season.
- Watch the Portal: Even with a national title on the line, Cignetti is still recruiting. They just landed Joe Brunner, a massive offensive lineman from Wisconsin, and Josh Hoover from TCU. The future is somehow just as bright as the present.
- Find a Watch Party: If you're in Bloomington, expect Kirkwood to be a complete madhouse. Get to Nick’s or Yogi’s about four hours early if you want a table.
- Monitor Injury Reports: Keep an eye on the status of the secondary. D’Angelo Ponds and Jamari Sharpe are going to have their hands full with Miami’s wideouts.
This is the biggest moment in the history of Indiana University athletics since the 1976 basketball season. Soak it in. Whether you're a lifelong fan who suffered through the 2-10 seasons or you just started following along when they hit the Top 10, this is history in the making. Monday night is the final chapter.