After shaking up the college football world with a College Football Playoff appearance last season, the Indiana Hoosiers are preparing for an even tougher gauntlet in 2025 — and the Big Ten battleground awaits.
With marquee matchups against Oregon, Penn State, Wisconsin, and several other conference heavyweights, Indiana’s road to a repeat postseason run won’t be easy — but it will be electrifying.
“This is why you come to play Big Ten football,” head coach Curt Cignetti said during a recent practice. “We’re not ducking anybody. We’re building something here, and these games are part of it.”
A New Big Ten Landscape
The 2025 season marks the first full year of the expanded 18-team Big Ten, and the Hoosiers are right in the thick of it. With former Pac-12 powers like Oregon and UCLA now in the mix, the competition level has skyrocketed. For Indiana, the challenge is not only surviving — but proving last year’s Playoff bid was just the beginning.
Indiana’s clash with Oregon on October 11 in Eugene is already being dubbed a “prove-it game.” The Ducks are loaded with talent and considered one of the favorites to win the conference, but the Hoosiers aren’t backing down.
“They’ve got speed, they’ve got flash — but we’ve got fight,” said senior linebacker Tre Jackson. “We’re not flying across the country to be part of their highlight reel.”
Penn State and Wisconsin Loom Large
Another massive test awaits on November 8, when the Hoosiers travel to Beaver Stadium to face Penn State in what could be a late-season showdown with postseason implications. Indiana stunned the Nittany Lions two years ago in overtime, but Penn State is eager for revenge.
Then there’s the home date with Wisconsin on November 15 — a game that could carry major weight in Big Ten standings. The Badgers are physical and disciplined, and they’ve historically given Indiana trouble. But with Memorial Stadium expected to be packed and rocking, the Hoosiers believe the energy of their home crowd can help tilt the balance.
“We’re treating every one of these like a playoff game,” said senior defensive back Louis Moore. “Because that’s how tight this conference is now. Every Saturday counts.”
An Opportunity to Cement Their Status
These high-profile matchups are more than just games — they’re an opportunity for Indiana to establish itself as a mainstay in the national conversation. A win over Oregon, a road triumph at Penn State, or a statement performance against Wisconsin could help catapult the Hoosiers back into College Football Playoff contention.
And after their surprise run last year, there’s no underdog card left to play.
“We’ve got a target on our back now,” said quarterback contender Fernando Mendoza. “Teams know we’re coming. We’ve got to match that with even more fire.”
The Journey Begins at Home
The Hoosiers open the 2025 season with three straight home games — against Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, and Indiana State — giving the new-look roster time to find its rhythm before the gauntlet begins. But make no mistake, it’s the battles in October and November that will define this team’s legacy.
“If we want to be a championship program,” Cignetti said, “we’ve got to beat championship-caliber opponents. And that’s exactly what we’re preparing for.”
With one of the toughest schedules in the nation, Indiana’s path is anything but easy — but that’s exactly how they want it.
