In 2024, Indiana shocked the college football world by going undefeated for so long and booking their ticket to the College Football Playoff. Now head coach Curt Cignetti has the tough task of replicating the success in 2025, which he is already working on.
The 2025 schedule is out and Indiana needs a strong season with few losses to prove to everyone that they are a team that is around to stay and be competitive.
The non-conference schedule for Indiana should be in their favor and a great opportunity for them to start out 3-0 on the season. However, with some new players in big positions such as quarterback and running back along with some new offensive linemen, these non-conference games should be a good time for everyone to get on the same page.
Old Dominion will be a great first opponent for Indiana to get their feet wet with new faces in new positions. Whether it is Fernando Mendoza or Grant Wilson under center at quarterback, the Hoosiers will take this game to see what they have and who is going to compete at a high level.
I believe there will be a few things Indiana will need to iron out in the first game, but this should be a win in the books, the first win of Cignetti's sophomore season at Indiana. The Hoosiers should be able to put up some points on Old Dominion and even get a lot of guys in the game to show Cignetti what they have as they should get a big lead early.
Score prediction: Indiana 48 Old Dominion 10
As with the Old Dominion game, Kennesaw State is a game to try and fix some of the things shown in the first game of the season, and continue to just get a lot of reps for the players that are emerging as the starters.
Score prediction: Indiana 45 Kennesaw State 13
A matchup of two Indiana schools will close out non-conference play for Indiana, so being able to fine tune the little things before heading into Big Ten play will be huge for the Hoosiers. Indiana should have a good idea of who will be getting bulk playing time at this point in the season and this is the game for the relationships on the field to grow.
Indiana can't falter at all in this game as they need a strong outing before getting into the thick of the Big Ten where they need to show out.
Score prediction: Indiana 56 Indiana State 6
Indiana will get to open Big Ten play at home in Bloomington as they take on a tough Illinois team that finished off their 2024 campaign with a huge win over South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Bret Bielema has led this team back from the depths of rock bottom and made them a real contender in the Big Ten, and be a solid threat to some teams.
Indiana is behind Illinois in the all-time series 26-46-2, but Indiana is on the rise right now with Cignetti in command. The last time these two teams played, Illinois came out on top of an overtime matchup 48-45. Indiana has a chance to have a big win early on in Big Ten play, but it's probably going to be a close one.
Score prediction: Indiana 28 Illinois 24
Iowa has always been a team with a great defense and a sub-par offense, which is good for Indiana. The Hoosiers are bringing back more players for the 2024 season on the defensive side of the ball than they are on the offensive side of the ball.
The Hawkeyes are always going to bring a lot on the defensive side of the ball, but if Mendoza ends up the starter for the Hoosiers next season, he has the ability to stretch the field with how strong his arm is.
Score prediction: Indiana 24 Iowa 13
This will be Indiana's first true test of the season as Oregon went undefeated this season up until their loss to Ohio State in the second round of the College Football Playoff. The Ducks did lose a lot of players to the NFL Draft, including their starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, but Dan Lanning knows how to pull an elite team together.
Indiana will need everything they can get against Oregon, especially with the game in Eugene. It is going to be a tough environment and just their second away game of the season. Cignetti will be exactly who he always is and talking up his team so that everyone knows who Indiana is. Realistically though, with the game in Eugene, this could be their first fall of the season, but in a close one.
Score prediction: Indiana 21 Oregon 24
If Indiana loses to Oregon, Michigan State is the perfect "get right" game for the Hoosiers. Michigan State is still a solid opponent, but could easily be a trap game loss, but Cignetti could get his guys right.
Indiana can't afford to have two losses in a row if they want a chance to get back to the NCAA Tournament next season. The Spartans could be a tough matchup, especially with how close they were in some games last season. However, Indiana will get right after a potential loss to Oregon the week before.
Score prediction: Indiana 35 Michigan State 21
UCLA seriously struggled last season under new head coach DeShaun Foster, but he could have the Bruins on a bit of a rise in his second season. Indiana will have the upper hand of not having to travel across the country though, which is tougher than most realize.
Indiana should have a handle on UCLA, which is good before they head to Maryland for their next matchup.
Score prediction: Indiana 28 UCLA 13
Maryland had a lot of struggles last season, finishing near the bottom of the Big Ten, but sometimes teams that struggle the year before can make big leaps the following year, just look at the Hoosiers. However, this is a game Indiana certainly can't afford to drop because they don't want to be in the same boat they were this year, of people saying their schedule wasn't strong enough.
Score prediction: Indiana 31 Maryland 14
This is a game Indiana has to win in order to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff, and maybe even the Big Ten championship. Penn State is coming in as a favorite to potentially win it all next season returning a lot of their strongest players on the offensive side of the ball.
This is the game Indiana needs to win in order to say they belong, especially if they do lose to Oregon early on in the season. Indiana doesn't have Ohio State on the schedule, so they need a white whale to take down and Penn State just might be it. It is going to come down to offense and whoever gets just one more stop on defense and Indiana just might be that team.
Score prediction: Indiana 38 Penn State 35
Wisconsin seemed to be down on their luck a bit since hiring old Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell. Fickell seems to be coming into the season on the hot seat, a loss late in the season to Indiana could be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Indiana could potentially be coming off a big win over Penn State so Wisconsin could be looked at as a trap game and the Hoosiers can't afford that.
Score prediction: Indiana 28 Wisconsin 21
The Indiana-Purdue rivalry is one that lights up the basketball court, but not usually the football field. However, with how Indiana played on he field last year, Purdue is just trying to catch up. After an incredibly rough season, the Boilermakers made the move to fire UNLV coach Barry Odom, who is already trying to make waves in this rivalry.
Odom could come and elevate this program, but Indiana is already one step ahead of the Boilermakers and this game should be a definite win for the Hoosiers.
Score prediction: Indiana 31 Purdue 17