Indiana: After a Dream Season, the Hoosiers Are Here to Stay
I have the Indiana Hoosiers at No. 19 in my preseason Top 25. What head coach Curt Cignetti accomplished last season was nothing short of a miracle, transforming the “losingest” program in college football from 2-10 into an 11-1 playoff contender. It was the most shocking story in the nation. Now, the question is no longer if Indiana can win, but if they can sustain it. After retaining the All-American core of their roster and reloading through the transfer portal, the Hoosiers are ready to prove their dream season was not a fluke, but the new standard in Bloomington.
2024: A Season Beyond Imagination
Last year was a script straight out of Hollywood. Cignetti’s “all I do is win, Google me” attitude became a reality as Indiana ripped off its first 10-0 start in school history and earned its first AP Top 5 ranking in 60 years. Memorial Stadium, once a quiet library, became a sold-out, intimidating fortress.
The Hoosiers didn’t just win; they dominated. They destroyed rivals Michigan State and Purdue by a combined score of 113-10 and, in a program-defining moment, out-physicaled defending national champion Michigan for a historic victory. While the season ended with a snowy playoff loss to Notre Dame, it was a clear signal that a new power had arrived in the Big Ten.
Offense: Reloading, Not Rebuilding
Cignetti’s “Production over Potential” transfer strategy worked flawlessly, turning the offense into the #2 scoring attack in the nation. The architect of that success, Heisman-finalist quarterback Kurtis Rourke, is gone, but the Hoosiers executed a seamless reload by signing Cal’s Fernando Mendoza. A proven Power 4 starter, Mendoza threw for over 3,000 yards last season and brings pocket mobility and a veteran presence.
The talent around him is immense. The rushing attack returns the productive duo of Justice Ellison and TySon Lawton. At receiver, star Elijah Sarratt is back after a near-1,000-yard season, and he’s joined by Omar Cooper, who led the Big Ten with a staggering 21 yards per catch. The biggest strength is the offensive line. A Joe Moore Award semifinalist, the unit returns three starters and adds another proven starter from Notre Dame’s stout line.
Defense: Anchored by an All-American Trio
The turnaround on defense was even more stunning. Coordinator Bryant Haines flipped the nation’s 101st-ranked defense into the #1 rushing defense and #2 total defense in America. The best part? They managed to bring back their three All-Americans—one at each level of the unit.
Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara returns after terrorizing offensive lines all season. Linebacker Aiden Fisher, the “on-field coach,” is back to lead the unit after placing third in the Big Ten in tackles. And lockdown corner D’Angelo Ponds anchors the secondary. While the defense lost seven other starters, this All-American trio provides a championship-level foundation to build around.
The Schedule and the Path
The element of surprise is gone. Indiana is now a ranked team with a target on its back. While they may not repeat their 11-win performance, the culture has fundamentally changed. They have star power, a proven formula, and the toughness to remain in the upper tier of the Big Ten.
Why I’m So Confident
Here’s why Indiana will not be a one-year wonder:
- Curt Cignetti’s proven blueprint for building instant winners.
- The rare retention of three All-Americans on defense.
- A reload, not a rebuild, at quarterback with Fernando Mendoza.
- A dominant and veteran offensive line.
- A program-wide culture of toughness that has erased decades of losing.
Don’t expect Indiana to fall off overnight. At No. 19 in my preseason rankings, the Hoosiers have the talent and the mindset to remain a legitimate contender in the Big Ten.
