Indiana Hoosiers 2025 Football Preview, Prediction, Betting ideas

Indiana Hoosier

2024 Record: 11-2

View From Afar: Curt Cignetti talked a big game before arriving in Bloomington, and boy, did he deliver in year 1. An 11-2 run to the first-ever 12-team playoff shocked the collective College Football world. Though there were many opinions, ultimately Indiana earned their way into the competition with the transfer-laden team hitting the ground running on offense early on and riding a favorable schedule to an 11-1 regular season. A few dodgy special teams' moments proved too much to overcome against Ohio State, and they were no match for a Notre Dame side destined for the championship game. Cignetti loses his offensive coordinator to UCLA and brings over Chandler Whitmer from the Falcons to run the offense with Shannahan. This will not have much effect as Shannahan has been with Cignetti for a few years. Defensively, Haines remains in charge of a unit that certainly impressed last season. What's fascinating about this offseason is that everyone is asking the same question: Who will be this year's Indiana? Illinois is a team with a significant amount of buzz, could the pieces come together for the likes of a Washington? But a bit more quietly this offseason the Hoosiers return some serios players off last years playoff bound team and one of the highest ceiling QBs in the portal in Mendoza. Cignetti will have his team believing they can run it back and show that last year was no fluke, but with a much more menacing schedule, this team will have to get a few big scalps to return to the playoffs.

Recruiting: Indiana bumped up to the #14 ranked class in the Big 10 this year after coming in at 16 last season. This team certainly is not yet hanging with the big dogs and will need this to improve and sustain success.

Portal: Cignetti and Co. went portaling again this offseason, coming up with the 6th-ranked class in the conference, and until proven otherwise, you'd have to think the evaluations were solid. Mendoza, as previously mentioned, was a primary get. Cal gave up the most sacks per game in all of college football and still managed north of 3000 yards, so his outing vs. Auburn was particularly encouraging. Coogan, especially, and Benson (Notre Dame, Colorado) are impressive additions to the line. Hemby(RB) has proven Big 10 ability, and Beebe(RB) is a UAB transfer stepping up in class. Knighten(CB) is a nice get from the MAC and will look to add to what could be a serious secondary.

Key roster departures: Curtis Rourke did a great job leading this team a year ago despite playing through injury. 29 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions were key in keeping Indiana out of trouble all year.

Roster Tidbits '25: Outside of the aforementioned transfers, this Indiana team brings back fascinating pieces. Sarratt will lead a loaded WR room. Cooper is back alongside him, and Jackson is an exciting East Tennessee transfer. Coogan will be surrounded by the likes of Carter Smith and Leibfried, which should be much improved than what Mendoza experienced at Cal. Defensively is where things get very exciting for this group. Ponds(CB), Fisher (LB), and Kamara (DL) all return after all being the first selections of the Big Ten team. Couple Ponds with Ferrel (S), and the secondary should be among the conference's best. Kamara will be surrounded by the likes of Ratcliffe and Tucker, and if last year is any indication, Cignetti knows what he's getting in a Sun Belt transfer (Ratcliffe). Overall, this team has a lot of depth, not many weaknesses, and studs on both lines, secondary , and WR. I like it.

Statistical Pulse: Indiana was third in the nation in turnover margin per game in '24. Interestingly, Indiana was also second in Bill Connelly's lineup consistency, so the team had a stroke of luck last season without a doubt. Not only did Indiana grade out as the #1 passing offense on PFF, but they also were second in the nation in QB rating.

Schedule: No questions will be asked this year if Indiana makes the playoffs, as they will have to earn it with this schedule! However, what I do really like is that the QB will have 3 cakewalks to get accustomed to the system. Illinois at home will be one of the biggest games in Bloomington in recent memory as both teams will enter the year dreaming big. At Oregon, Iowa and Penn St will test the mettle of this group big time, can Cignetti land a big win to hush some of the doubters?

Prediction: Cignetti handpicked Rourke and got a masterclass season out of him to lead his team to the playoffs. Now he has a QB with arguably more talent and certainly more athleticism. If Mendoza can take care of the ball like Rourke did, I don't see why this team can't make a run to 10-2. The lines look solid on both sides, WR room is deep, the secondary is good on a national level. I have faith Cignetti will get this team back to playoff contention in '25. Indiana goes 10-2, and I think they will give Oregon or Penn St hell as Cignetti will be desperate to get the big W they lacked last season.

Actionable: I have not seen them posted yet but keep your eyes peeled for stat props. Francisco Mendoza to lead the Big 10 in passing yards could be an interesting play. Rourke was fourth in yards per game a year ago, and I am sure Cignetti will want to get Mendoza clicking in those non-con cupcakes early on. I must mention Indiana (+675 BetMGM) to make the playoff. I would have liked a touch juicier, but it's still appealing as the Hoosiers have a culture in place and some serious talent returning to a team that made it to the dance floor a year ago.