The Indiana Hoosiers football team is heading into the 2025 season with heightened expectations following a surprising and successful 2024 campaign, which included their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. However, a recent prediction from CBS Sports suggests that the Hoosiers may face some challenges in replicating that success.
After a long tenure of struggles, Indiana Football had a season for the ages in 2024, going 11-2. This led to a College Football Playoff berth. The team's only losses were against Notre Dame and Ohio State. The Hoosiers went from a "national joke to national darling in just a year".
Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports has set the win total for Indiana football at 8.5 for the upcoming season. While he doesn't anticipate a complete collapse, he suggests it will be difficult for Indiana to repeat their portal success. Fornelli anticipates Indiana to lose all but one game away from Memorial Stadium, with the sole victory being against Purdue. The predicted away losses are against Iowa, Oregon, Maryland, and Penn State. This prediction suggests a regression from their stellar 2024 performance and could spell trouble for Curt Cignetti's second year.
Despite the external predictions, the Hoosiers are not backing down from the challenge. Coach Cignetti and the team are aware that many believe their 2024 season was a fluke. There is a sense of urgency and an underdog mentality within the team, particularly among the returning players. Cignetti stated that the team "didn't finish the season very well" and that they "have some things to prove".
Several factors contribute to the higher expectations and the pressure to sustain success. The university has invested significantly in retaining Cignetti and his staff, and there are plans to upgrade the stadium and facilities. The Hoosiers have seven home games in 2025, including a potentially top-25 matchup against Illinois. The non-conference schedule, featuring Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State, is considered manageable and should allow the team to start strong.
Aiden Fisher, an Indiana linebacker, emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency. He believes the team can be even better in 2025 if they maintain that mentality. Fisher acknowledged that the perception of Indiana football has changed, with discussions shifting from bowl eligibility to the possibility of an undefeated season. He also stated that the team is using their early playoff exit as motivation.
However, Cignetti faces challenges in maintaining the program's momentum. Recruiting remains a chaotic landscape, with committed players often entertaining offers from rival programs. This requires Cignetti to continuously nurture relationships and build trust with recruits to solidify their commitment.
Despite these challenges, Cignetti has a track record of success. Throughout his 13 years as a head coach, he has never had a losing season, turning around programs at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Elon University, and James Madison. His ability to quickly transform programs has raised hopes that he can establish long-term success at Indiana.
The 2025 season will be a test of Cignetti's ability to manage expectations, maintain a competitive edge, and navigate the evolving landscape of college football. While CBS Sports' prediction suggests a potential step back, the Hoosiers are determined to prove doubters wrong and build a foundation for sustained success.
