With the National Championship over and the 2024 college football season officially wrapped up, of course it is already time for way-too-early 2025 rankings. On3 already released their rankings and they didn't really give Indiana a fighting chance next season, ranking them at No. 23, however, other sports outlets are at least giving the Hoosiers some more credit.
ESPN released their first way-too-early top 25 rankings, and they were definitely kinder to Indiana that On3 was. ESPN ranked Indiana at No. 17, which is lower than the Hoosiers ended the season, but that is to be expected, especially with all the players they are losing this offseason.
The good news for Indiana that head coach curt Cignetti knows how to build a program utilizing the transfer portal, which is how he built a team that won for than nine games in an Indiana uniform for the first time in program history. Cignetti has already begun bringing guys in as he brought in more guys than he lost i the early transfer portal window.
The biggest pickups for Indiana in the transfer portal was Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was the No. 3 ranked quarterback in the portal. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns with Cal and only six interceptions. The Hoosiers were also active in bringing in a tight end room that would have been scarce in 2025.
Luckily on the defensive side of the ball, the Hoosiers didn't lose a ton of firepower in the secondary, but bringing in solid adds on the defensive line was crucial. Cignetti was able to get Hosea Walker from Western Kentucky and Dominique Ratcliff from Texas State to fill the holes on the line.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Hoosier has a a very easy non-conference schedule facing Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and FCS opponent Indiana State all at home. They will definitely face some tough road tests against Oregon, Iowa and Penn State. Indiana luckily won't have to face the reigning National Champions Ohio State next season.