From breakout to back-to-back? Pollack bets yes.
David Pollack Doesn’t Think Big Ten Team is a ‘One-and-Done’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Curt Cignetti’s first season in Bloomington reset expectations, with the Indiana Hoosiers credited for one of the season’s biggest turnarounds after finishing four wins over projection, vaulting the program into national relevance.
Last season, the Hoosiers outscored opponents 108-20 in the first quarter, won the turnover battle on the ground (opponents lost nine fumbles to IU’s three) and largely controlled hidden yardage on special teams.
While some experts are torn on Indiana repeating this level of success, David Pollack doesn't believe a falloff is in the cards.
On a Thursday episode of "See Ball Get Ball," Pollack argued Indiana wasn’t a one-and-done story, pointing to returning experience, an upgrade to Fernando Mendoza at QB and a four-game home runway before a three-game crucible that includes games at Iowa and at Oregon.
He framed the path as winning two of those three to stay on track, then surviving a back half that features Penn State on the road and a string of swing games (Michigan State, UCLA, Maryland, Wisconsin and Purdue).
.@IndianaFootball isn't just a cute one-and-done CFP story
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) August 8, 2025
Follow See Ball Get Ball: https://t.co/nkyJVzNC5Zpic.twitter.com/pqwTd8gUPl
Who’s Back, Who’s New: 2025 Indiana Roster Snapshot
Quarterback is the headline change.
With Kurtis Rourke moving on, Indiana added Mendoza, a four-star transfer prospect and No. 4-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal.
Last season with the California Golden Bears, Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards and 16 touchdowns to six interceptions, completing 68.7% of his passes for a 63.8 QBR.
Up front, Indiana returns experience and added veteran linemen Pat Coogan (Notre Dame), Kahlil Benson (Colorado) and Zen Michalski (Ohio State) to stabilize the pass protection and run game.
The skill group was rebuilt as well, with the Hoosiers importing RBs Roman Hemby (Maryland) and Lee Beebe Jr. (UAB), both noted pass-catching backs, as well as receivers Jonathan Brady (California), Tyler Morris (Michigan) and Makai Jackson (Appalachian State).
Defensively, the spine is strong. Edge Mikail Kamara, LB Aiden Fisher, CB D’Angelo Ponds and DT Tyrique Tucker again project to be difference makers.
Incoming transfers Amariyun Knighten (Northern Illinois), Ryland Gandy (Pittsburgh), Kellan Wyatt (Maryland) and Louis Moore (Ole Miss) round out a deep group capable of going toe to toe against Big Ten rivals.
The 2025 Hoosiers Schedule at a Glance
To Pollack's point, Indiana opens with four straight at home: Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State and Illinois.
Two road tests follow at Iowa (Sept. 27) and at Oregon (Oct. 11), then a stretch that features Michigan State and UCLA at home, road trips to Maryland and Penn State, Wisconsin back in Bloomington and the Old Oaken Bucket at Purdue on Nov. 28.
Below is the full 2025 slate for the Hoosiers:
- Aug 30: Old Dominion
- Sep 6: Kennesaw State
- Sep 12: Indiana State
- Sep 20: Illinois
- Sep 27: at Iowa
- Oct 11: at Oregon
- Oct 18: Michigan State
- Oct 25: UCLA
- Nov 1: at Maryland
- Nov 8: at Penn State
- Nov 15: Wisconsin
- Nov 28: at Purdue
Previews frame this as a "soft open, then steep climb" type of schedule with a manageable non-conference slate yet three defining road dates (Iowa, Oregon, Penn State) that will likely determine how far this team can go.
Many analysts project seven to nine wins, while online sportsbooks like ESPN Bet have Indiana's projected win total set at 8.5.
Without Ohio State or Michigan on the schedule this year, the Hoosiers have a path to at least eight or nine wins. The overall consensus is for a strong, bowl-bound season and one of the best two-year stretches in program history, but not a return to the College Football Playoff.
Related: Deion Sanders Reveals Why He Apologized to Travis Hunter During Cancer Battle
Related: Louis Riddick Makes Heisman Trophy Prediction Without Hesitation
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
