Indiana’s offense took college football by surprise last season, with first-year coach Curt Cignetti and veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke leading the way to the best year in program history.
And even with some key departures, the Hoosiers are still turning heads.
Some might be calling Indiana a one-year wonder, but not everyone’s counting them out just yet. At least one national analyst believes the Hoosiers still have enough firepower to keep the big plays — and the points — coming this fall.
CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford ranked Indiana No. 8 on his list of the top 10 most explosive offenses guaranteed to deliver fireworks in 2025 — and says it would be a mistake to overlook what’s brewing in Bloomington.
“Out of respect for Curt Cignetti, don’t undervalue Indiana this offseason,” Crawford wrote about the program. “Cignetti essentially guaranteed early success with the Hoosiers and backed that up in Year 1 with an explosive offense.”
The schedule won’t do the Hoosiers any favors this time around, especially with a tougher Big Ten slate ahead, but Crawford still expects this group to pile up the points.
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“Indiana’s ability to light up the scoreboard should still remain,” Crawford wrote. “Expect [Roman] Hemby, a speedy transfer from Maryland, to become the new featured option inside the 20 after the Hoosiers led the country in red-zone touchdowns last fall with 55.”
The Hoosiers will have to prove last season wasn’t a fluke, but with Cignetti calling the shots and plenty of new weapons ready to step in, there’s reason to believe Indiana’s offense can stay among the Big Ten’s most dangerous.
That includes Maryland transfer Roman Hemby in the backfield, Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza taking over under center, and Michigan’s Tyler Morris adding another option at receiver.
But maybe the biggest boost? Star wideout Elijah Sarratt is back after passing on the NFL Draft, giving Indiana one of the most explosive playmakers in the Big Ten.
With Sarratt leading the way, key returners in place, and new weapons like Hemby and Mendoza joining the mix, the Hoosiers have plenty of firepower to prove last season was no fluke — and to keep Cignetti’s squad firmly in the national spotlight.