The Indiana Hoosiers are facing a reality check as they navigate preseason preparations for the 2025 college football season. After a historic 2024 campaign that saw them reach the College Football Playoff, expectations were high, but recent observations from head coach Curt Cignetti suggest that the team is still a work in progress.
Indiana's preseason ranking in the AP Poll reflects this sentiment. The Hoosiers landed at No. 20, a significant drop from where they stood last season. This slide isn't just perceived disrespect but may indicate underlying issues on the field.
Following a recent scrimmage, Cignetti addressed the team's performance, acknowledging both positive aspects and areas needing improvement. He noted offensive successes during the previous week's practice but emphasized the prevalence of mistakes that hindered the team's overall execution. Missed assignments and other execution lapses are preventing the offense from sustaining drives consistently.
A significant factor contributing to these struggles is player unavailability, particularly on the defensive side. Key players have been sidelined due to injuries and personal matters, forcing backups into critical roles against the first-team offense. This situation, while providing valuable experience for the reserves, has exposed depth concerns and created an uneven playing field during practice sessions. Linebacker Rolijah Hardy, is dealing with a groin issue, Amare Ferrell had a personal matter due to the passing of his mother, and D'Angelo Ponds suffered an ankle injury during the scrimmage.
Despite these challenges, Cignetti remains cautiously optimistic about the offense's potential. He believes the team has the components to be effective but stresses the need for balance between the running and passing game.
Cignetti's coaching philosophy centers on a process-driven approach, emphasizing the importance of having the right people and maintaining consistency. He also focuses on efficiency and direct communication to ensure everyone understands the standards. He is known for his ability to quickly turn programs around, which he has demonstrated at multiple stops in his career. Cignetti's overall record stands at 130-37. His emphasis is on the players buying into the team vision.
Looking ahead, Indiana's schedule includes matchups against several ranked opponents, including Illinois, Penn State, Oregon and Iowa. The Hoosiers will open their season on August 30th against Old Dominion.
While the preseason has presented challenges, there is still time for Cignetti and his staff to address the identified issues and prepare the team for the upcoming season. The Hoosiers aim to build upon last season's success, but they must first overcome these early obstacles and solidify their foundation. The team returns three AP All-Americans in linebacker Aiden Fisher, edge rusher Mikial Kamara, and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds. The addition of Hosea Wheeler and Devan Boykin through the transfer portal should add depth to the defense.
