Final thoughts from Indiana's Week 1 win over Old Dominion

Curt Cignetti Indiana — Aug 30, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks into the stadium prior to the game against the Old Dominion Monarchs at Memorial Stadium. (Photo Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images)

Indiana opened the 2025 season with a win on paper, but on the field, it felt more like a warning. The Hoosiers beat Old Dominion 27-14 on Saturday at Merchant’s Bank Field at Memorial Stadium, yet the performance was anything but the statement victory fans were hoping for. For a program with College Football Playoff ambitions, this was the wrong kind of deja vu. Much like last year’s sluggish opener against Florida International, Indiana looked disjointed early, struggled in the red zone and gave up a pair of backbreaking big plays. The difference now? Expectations are no longer modest. Indiana isn’t fighting for national attention anymore. The Hoosiers are a top-20 team, and victories alone won’t silence skepticism. Here's my final thoughts.