Three Things to Watch for Indiana Football versus Old Dominion

Indiana had a breakout 11-2 season in 2024 under first year head coach Curt Cignett, including an 8-1 record in Big Ten play. The Hoosiers also had their first College Football Playoff appearance in school history. Coach Curt Cignetti returns for his second year, bringing back most of his key coordinators, and star players which will allow them to pick a threat to make the playoffs for consecutive seasons.

Game week has officially arrived as the Indiana Hoosiers, as they will play their first game of the season on Saturday against Old Dominion. This game will not be a headliner of the loaded college football weekend, but there is a lot to be learned during Indiana's first official game of the 2025 season. With that being said, here are three things to watch this weekend during the first game of the season.

1. The Fernando Mendoza Era kicks-off

Transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for16 touchdowns, 3,004 passing yards and 6 interceptions last season for the California Golden Bears. He also ran for 105 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024. Mendoza's season produced just the ninth 3,000-yard passing season in Cal history (3,004 yards) and a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl.

But, will that be enough to replace or elevate the Indiana offense without Kurtis Rourke? Rourke, finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting and was named a second team All-Big Ten selection in 2024.

Mendoza possesses the same excellent touch, a stronger arm and more athleticism than Rourke which projects to help IU's offense in year two under Mike Shanahan and Curt Cignetti. A major key is also to see Mendoza's relationship and timing with wide receivers Omar Cooper Jr, Elijah Sarratt and Makai Jackson.

2. How does the new and "improved offensive line" look against a Group of Five opponent?

In 2024, Old Dominion finished 5-7 overall and 4-4 in Sun Belt Conference play under head coach Ricky Rahne.

Last season Old Dominion's highlight of the season was at South Carolina, where the final score was 23-19 on opening week, only losing by four points. The young team brings a lot of talent back into the fold and they are right on the cusp of being a top tier Sun-Belt team. ODU had all of their losses but one last year by one score or less.

Old Dominion's defensive line consist of starters Ricardo Williams Jr a transfer from Georgia State and Mississippi Gulf Coast CC, DeAndre Lynch and Kris Trinadad who had 5.5 sacks last season.

This group of five team has the abilty to give Indiana and their new look offensive line problems. The Hoosiers offensive line features returning starters like left tackle Carter Smith and left guard Drew Evans though his return from an Achilles tear leaves him questionable for the game.

Indiana also added transfers Khalil Benson (Colorado), Pat Coogan (Notre Dame) and Zen Michalski (Ohio State). Offensive line coach Bob Bostad's line also have more depth this year with Bray Lynch, Austin Barrett, Tyler Stephens and true freshman Matt Marek.

3. Which true freshman rotate in first and get the most playing time?

The Indiana recruiting class was very top heavy last season and expect these first three weeks to be a "feeling out process" for Indiana and their staff when it comes to true freshman.

Defensive back Byron Baldwin Jr. and wide receiver Lebron Bond are the notable blue chip true freshmen for the Indiana Hoosiers. However Matt Marek may be in the rotation for the offensive line and Davion Chandler could see time at wide out or special teams throughout the three game stretch.

As far as health and readiness go Curt Cignetti says his team is confident and ready to go:

“I feel really good about the health of our team right now,” Cignetti told reporters during his first weekly news conference of the season.

“Overall, I'm pleased with where we're at.” Cignetti told the Indy Star

The Indiana Hoosiers will face-off against Old Dominion University at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.