Indiana ranked among nation's most explosive offenses ahead of 2025 season by CBS

Indiana football has long been overlooked on the national stage, but that narrative may be changing quickly under head coach Curt Cignetti.

CBS Sports recently ranked the Hoosiers as the No. 8 most high-powered offense in the country heading into the 2025 college football season — a nod to both recent production and offseason upgrades. The recognition places Indiana among an elite group of power conferences programs expected to dominate offensively this fall.

SEE ALSO: LSU, Clemson among 10 high-powered college football offenses guaranteed to produce fireworks in 2025 season

CBS’s projection factored in proven returning talent, key additions via the transfer portal, and offensive efficiency metrics — particularly red-zone scoring and explosive playmaking.

“Out of respect for Curt Cignetti, don’t undervalue Indiana this offseason. Cignetti essentially guaranteed early success with the Hoosiers and backed that up in Year 1 with an explosive offense,” Brad Crawford wrote. “The schedule stiffens in 2025 by Big Ten standards, but Indiana’s ability to light up the scoreboard should still remain. 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.”

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Indiana was one of the most statistically potent units in the nation last season, finishing second in the country in scoring with an average of 41.3 points per game.

The Hoosiers didn’t just pad those numbers against lesser opponents; they showcased big-play capability on a weekly basis. Six different players logged rushes of 20-plus yards in 2024, including long runs of 47 and 51 yards by Justice Ellison and Elijah Green, respectively.

In the passing game, Indiana was equally dynamic. Quarterback Kurtis Rourke delivered the team’s longest play of the season — an 84-yard touchdown to wideout Elijah Sarratt. In total, eight Hoosiers hauled in receptions of 30 yards or more, a testament to the scheme’s aggressiveness and the roster’s depth of talent.

But the biggest reason for optimism may lie in what’s new. Indiana made several high-profile additions this offseason, starting with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who arrives from Cal.

MORE: Can Fernando Mendoza replicate Kurtis Rourke’s record-breaking success at Indiana in 2025?

Hemby, a versatile back from the Hoosiers added via the transfer portal, joins the backfield as a potential red-zone difference-maker. The Hoosiers led the country in red-zone touchdowns in 2024 with 55, and Hemby’s presence could sustain — or even elevate — that efficiency.

Up front, Indiana added offensive lineman Pat Coogan from Notre Dame, bringing valuable experience and stability to the trenches. Out wide, Indiana figures to once again boast an electric receiving corps.

Cignetti’s impact cannot be understated. Hired with a reputation for rapid turnarounds and offensive innovation, he promised quick success and delivered. Under his guidance, the Hoosiers have become one of the most unpredictable and aggressive offensive units in the Big Ten.

The road gets tougher in 2025 with a more demanding schedule, but CBS projects that Indiana’s offensive identity will remain intact.

With playmakers at every level, a red-zone attack that’s among the nation’s best, and renewed depth from the transfer portal, the Hoosiers may be poised to turn heads — and scoreboards — again this fall.

For a program that has struggled for relevance throughout its history, Indiana’s emergence on a list dominated by perennial powers marks a turning point. This fall, they’re not just hoping to compete — they’re expecting to contend.

Below is CBS’ full rankings of the most high-powered offenses in the country ahead of the 2025 season.

10. Miami (FL)

9. South Carolina

8. Indiana

7. Ole Miss

6. Oklahoma

5. Ohio State

4. Texas Tech

3. Texas

2. LSU

1. Clemson

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