2025 Big Ten Preseason Media Poll: Where Indiana is predicted to finish

Cleveland.com released its annual preseasonBig Ten media poll and predicted order of finish for the 2025 college football season on Monday afternoon.

In the Big Ten preseason poll, the Hoosiers came in ranked as the No. 6 in the 18-team conference, earning 305 total voting points and averaging a 6.8 team ranking. Indiana did not receive any first-place votes, after finishing 11-2 and 8-1 in conference last season. The five teams voted ahead of the Hoosiers include No. 1 Penn State, No. 2 Ohio State , No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Illinois and No. 5 Michigan.

They've come along way from a season ago when Indiana was picked to finish 16th by USA Today and 17th by the annual cleveland.com

The Hoosiers had a historic year in 2024, Curt Cignetti’s first season. As for the follow up, there’s talent back for Indiana this coming season including three All-Americans on defense including Mikial Kamara, D'Angelo Ponds and Aiden Fisher.

Notably, they landed Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza while also retaining wide outs Omar Cooper and Elijah Sarratt. The Big Ten schedule definitely helped Indiana’s success last season as they were dominated by Ohio State and needed a late rally vs. Notre Dame to make it look competitive. But there’s no doubt Cignetti has himself a program going into Year 2. IU can make a likely second push for back to back playoff appearances.

Here is the full annual cleveland.com poll:

1-Penn State (11 1st place votes)
2-Ohio State (10)
3-Oregon (2)
4-Illinois
5-Michigan (1)
6-Indiana
7-Iowa
8-Nebraska
9-USC
10-Washington
11-Minnesota
12-Wisconsin
13-Mich State
(tie) Rutgers
15-UCLA
16-Maryland
17-Northwestern
18-Purdue

Reporters representing the conference named their top players by position, specialists, and picked preseason awards.

Player of the year: Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State

Coach of the year: James Franklin, Penn State

Newcomer of the year: Makhi Hughes, running back, Oregon

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Drew Allar, Penn State

Running back (2): Jonah Coleman, Washington; Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

Wide receiver (2): Elijah Sarratt, Indiana; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Tight end: Max Klare, Ohio State

Offensive tackle (2): Gennings Dunker, Iowa; Isaiah World, Oregon

Offensive guard (2): Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State; Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon

Offensive center: Logan Jones, Iowa

DEFENSE

Defensive line (4): Zane Durant, Penn State; Gabe Jacas, Illinois; Mikail Kamara, Indiana; Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

Linebacker (3): Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; Aiden Fisher, Indiana; Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Defensive backs (4): Caleb Downs, Ohio State; D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana; Dillon Thieneman, Oregon; (tie) Koi Perich, Minnesota and Xavier Scott, Illinois

SPECIALISTS

Kicker: Dominic Zvada, Michigan

Punter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State

All-purpose: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa

Indiana’s starts Big Ten media day is tomorrow (Tuesday, July 22) in Las Vegas.

Coverage of Big Ten Media Days begins at 1 p.m. ET each day and aired live on Big Ten Network. Cignetti will begin with opening comments followed by a short Q&A on stage.