Conjoined with that news report, the Hoosiers replaced the Cavaliers with a matchup against Kennesaw State, who posted a 2-10 record in 2024. Further, Indiana scheduled Austin Peay in 2028 and Eastern Illinois in 2029, both of whom are FCS programs that finished with losing records last year.

Cignetti told reporters at Big Ten Media Days that an unnamed Hoosiers player received a $1.5 million offer to transfer during the spring portal window in a blatant example of tampering. The offer came at a time when teams across the country were rushing to sign players to front-loaded deals that avoided having to go through the clearinghouse.

Cignetti is no stranger to criticism of Indiana's strength of schedule after last season's College Football Playoff run