2025 Indiana Football Schedule Released

The Indiana Hoosiers football team is set to embark on a challenging 2025 campaign, with a schedule that features a mix of familiar foes and new opponents. The Hoosiers will open the season at home against the FCS Murray State Racers on August 30, before traveling to face the Cincinnati Bearcats on September 6.

The Hoosiers’ non-conference schedule also includes a home game against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels on September 13, and a road game against the Louisville Cardinals on September 20. Indiana will open Big Ten play on September 27 at home against the Maryland Terrapins, and will also host the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 4 and the Purdue Boilermakers on November 22.

The Hoosiers will face a tough road schedule in 2025, with games at the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 11, the Michigan Wolverines on October 18, the Michigan State Spartans on November 1, and the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 8. Indiana will also travel to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on October 25 and the Wisconsin Badgers on November 15.

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Hoosiers Prepare for a Challenging Slate

A Rigorous Non-Conference Schedule

Indiana’s 2025 football schedule features a daunting non-conference slate that will test the limits of the Hoosiers’ roster. They kick off their campaign with a daunting road trip to Columbus, Ohio, to face the Ohio State Buckeyes, perennial contenders in the Big Ten and a national title threat. Following this, Indiana welcomes the Eastern Kentucky Colonels to Bloomington, a formidable FCS opponent that has consistently challenged Power Five programs in recent years.

Week 3 brings a home game against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, a perennial Sun Belt Conference contender. The Ragin’ Cajuns boast a high-powered offense and a solid defense, making them a formidable foe for any team. Indiana then faces two consecutive road tests, traveling to Provo, Utah, to take on the BYU Cougars and to Orlando, Florida, to face the UCF Knights. Both BYU and UCF are ranked among the top Group of Five teams in the country.

The Hoosiers conclude their non-conference schedule with a home game against the Purdue Boilermakers, their bitter in-state rivals. The Boilermakers have been a competitive team in recent years and will provide Indiana with a tough test to close out their non-conference slate.

Non-Conference Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location
August 30	Ohio State	Columbus, OH
September 6	Eastern Kentucky	Bloomington, IN
September 13	Louisiana	Bloomington, IN
September 20	BYU	Provo, UT
September 27	UCF	Orlando, FL
October 11	Purdue	Bloomington, IN

Key Matchups for Indiana

Indiana’s 2025 football schedule features several key matchups that will test the team’s mettle and determine their chances of success. Here are some of the most important games on the schedule:

Ohio State (Sept. 20)

The Buckeyes are a perennial powerhouse and one of the toughest teams in the country. Indiana will need to play its best game to have a chance of knocking off Ohio State, especially considering the game will be played in Columbus.

Michigan (Oct. 4)

Another Big Ten power, Michigan will be a tough test for the Hoosiers. The Wolverines have won the past three meetings between the two teams, and Indiana will need to find a way to break that streak to have a chance at winning the Big Ten East.

Penn State (Nov. 8)

Penn State is another tough opponent that Indiana will face in 2025. The Nittany Lions have won the past two meetings between the two teams, and Indiana will need to play its best game to have a chance of upsetting Penn State.

Here is a table summarizing the key matchups for Indiana in 2025:

Date	Opponent	Location
Sept. 20	Ohio State	Columbus, Ohio
Oct. 4	Michigan	Bloomington, Ind.
Nov. 8	Penn State	State College, Pa.

Road Warriors Face Adversity

The Hoosiers’ road schedule in 2025 features several formidable opponents. They open the season with a trip to South Bend to take on Notre Dame, a perennial powerhouse with a passionate home crowd. The following week, they travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan, a team that has been consistently ranked among the nation’s best in recent years.

But it’s the third game of the season that presents the Hoosiers with their most daunting challenge. On September 20th, they travel to Columbus to take on Ohio State, the reigning national champions and one of the most dominant programs in college football. The Buckeyes have a long history of success, and their home crowd is known for its boisterous support.

Ohio State: A Familiar Foe

The Hoosiers have a long history with Ohio State, dating back to 1905. However, they have never defeated the Buckeyes in Columbus. In fact, Indiana has only won one game against Ohio State overall, a 44-21 victory in Bloomington in 1988.

The Buckeyes have won the last 22 meetings between the two schools, and they have not allowed Indiana to score more than 20 points in any of those games. Ohio State’s defense is consistently ranked among the best in the nation, and they have a knack for making big plays in crucial moments.

The Hoosiers will need to play their best game of the season if they want to have a chance to upset Ohio State. They will need to generate a consistent pass rush, force turnovers, and limit the Buckeyes’ explosive offense. It will be a tall task, but it is one that Indiana must embrace if they want to make a statement in 2025.

Date	Opponent	Location
September 6th	Notre Dame	South Bend, IN
September 13th	Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI
September 20th	Ohio State	Columbus, OH

Home Field Advantage Crucial

Indiana football has a proud tradition of home field advantage at Memorial Stadium. The Hoosiers have won 60% of their games at home since 2000, and they have a 12-5 record in Big Ten games over that same span. The fans at Memorial Stadium create a raucous atmosphere that can be intimidating for opposing teams. The Hoosiers will need to take advantage of their home field advantage in 2025 if they want to have a successful season.

The Hoosiers have a challenging schedule in 2025, but they have a good chance to win at least six games at home. They open the season with a non-conference game against FCS opponent Eastern Kentucky, and they also have home games against Rutgers, Maryland, Illinois, and Michigan State. The Hoosiers will need to win all of these games if they want to reach a bowl game.

The Hoosiers will also have a tough road schedule in 2025, but they have a chance to win at least two games away from home. They play at Nebraska, Purdue, Iowa, and Ohio State. The Hoosiers will need to play their best football in these games if they want to have a successful season.

Key Games

The Hoosiers have several key games on their schedule in 2025. Their home game against Michigan State on October 4th is a must-win game. The Spartans are a tough opponent, but the Hoosiers will have a chance to win if they can play well at home. The Hoosiers also have a tough road game at Ohio State on October 18th. The Buckeyes are one of the best teams in the country, but the Hoosiers have a chance to win if they can play their best football.

The Hoosiers will need to win at least six games in 2025 if they want to reach a bowl game. They have a challenging schedule, but they have a good chance to win at least six games at home. The Hoosiers will need to play their best football in their key games if they want to have a successful season.

Date	Opponent	Location
August 30	Eastern Kentucky	Memorial Stadium
September 6	at Nebraska	Memorial Stadium
September 13	Rutgers	Memorial Stadium
September 20	at Purdue	Ross-Ade Stadium
September 27	Maryland	Memorial Stadium
October 4	Michigan State	Memorial Stadium
October 11	at Iowa	Kinnick Stadium
October 18	at Ohio State	Ohio Stadium
October 25	Illinois	Memorial Stadium
November 1	at Wisconsin	Camp Randall Stadium
November 8	Northwestern	Memorial Stadium
November 15	at Michigan	Michigan Stadium

Emerging Stars to Watch

Donaven McCulley, Quarterback

The redshirt freshman quarterback made a name for himself in 2022, leading the Hoosiers to an upset over No. 24 Purdue. With a strong arm and mobility, McCulley is expected to take over the starting role in 2023 and lead the team’s offense.

AJ Barner, Running Back

Another redshirt freshman, Barner impressed during spring practice with his speed and agility. He adds a dynamic element to the Hoosiers’ backfield and could be a key contributor in both the running and passing games.

Dasan McCullough, Defensive Back

The true freshman cornerback has already made a significant impact with his physicality and coverage skills. McCullough is expected to start opposite Tiawan Mullen and form a formidable duo in the Hoosiers’ secondary.

Caden Curry, Wide Receiver

Curry is a talented sophomore wide receiver who emerged as a dependable target for McCulley in 2022. His route-running and ability to make contested catches make him a dangerous weapon in the Hoosiers’ passing game.

Tiawan Mullen, Defensive Back

Moving to defense in 2023, Mullen is expected to be an impact player for the Hoosiers. His size, speed, and ball skills make him a formidable cornerback, and he will be a key member of the secondary. The following table provides additional key players to watch:

Player	Position
Josh Mickens	Wide Receiver
James Evans	Tight End
James Head	Linebacker
D’Angelo Alexander	Defensive End
Christopher Jenkins Jr.	Safety

Defensive Determination

Indiana’s defense has been a cornerstone of their success in recent years, and they will need to continue to play at a high level in 2025. The Hoosiers return several key players from last season, including All-American linebacker Micah McFadden. McFadden led the nation in tackles in 2021 and will be a force to be reckoned with again in 2025.

In addition to McFadden, the Hoosiers also return defensive backs Tiawan Mullen and Jaylin Williams. Mullen is a two-time All-Big Ten selection and Williams is a rising star who had a breakout season in 2021. The secondary will be a strength for Indiana in 2025.

The Hoosiers will need to replace some key players on the defensive line, but they have several talented players who are ready to step up. C.J. Person is a rising star who had a strong season in 2021, and he will be joined by transfers Nick James and Aaron Banks. The defensive line should be a solid unit for Indiana in 2025.

Overall, the Indiana defense has the potential to be one of the best in the Big Ten in 2025. They have a lot of talent and experience, and they are led by a strong coaching staff. If the Hoosiers can stay healthy, they will be a tough team to score on in 2025.

Linebacker Depth

The Hoosiers have a lot of depth at the linebacker position in 2025. In addition to McFadden, they also have James Evans, Thomas Allen, and D.K. Bonhomme. Evans is a rising star who had a strong season in 2021, and Allen and Bonhomme are both experienced players who have contributed to the Hoosiers’ success in recent years.

The following table shows the Indiana linebackers who are expected to contribute in 2025:

Name	Position	Year
Micah McFadden	MLB	SR
James Evans	WLB	JR
Thomas Allen	SLB	SR
D.K. Bonhomme	OLB	SR

With so much depth at the linebacker position, the Hoosiers should be able to withstand any injuries in 2025. They have a lot of talented and experienced players who can step up and make plays.

Coaching Matchups to Follow

Week 1: Indiana vs. FIU

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Mike MacIntyre, FIU: 84-57 career record, 2-3 bowl record

Week 2: Indiana vs. Idaho

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Jason Eck, Idaho: 10-4 career record, first season as head coach

Week 3: Indiana at Western Kentucky

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky: 20-24 career record, 1 bowl appearance

Week 4: Indiana vs. Michigan

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Jim Harbaugh, Michigan: 103-33 career record, 4 bowl wins

Week 5: Indiana at Nebraska

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Matt Rhule, Nebraska: 47-43 career record, 0 bowl appearances

Week 6: Indiana vs. Minnesota

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
P.J. Fleck, Minnesota: 57-44 career record, 7 bowl appearances

Week 7: Indiana at Maryland

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Mike Locksley, Maryland: 28-47 career record, 0 bowl appearances

Week 8: Indiana vs. Ohio State

Tom Allen, Indiana: 31-33 record at IU, 2-2 bowl record
Ryan Day, Ohio State: 45-5 career record, 3 bowl appearances

Indiana

Ohio State

Tom Allen

Ryan Day

31-33 record at IU

45-5 career record

2-2 bowl record

3 bowl appearances

Big Ten East Showdown

Indiana’s 2025 football schedule includes a challenging slate of opponents from the Big Ten East Division. The Hoosiers will open the season at home against Maryland on Aug. 30, followed by a road game at Penn State on Sept. 6.

Indiana will then host Michigan on Sept. 13, before traveling to Michigan State on Sept. 20. The Hoosiers will face Ohio State on the road on Oct. 4 and Purdue on Oct. 11.

No. 9 Penn State (Sept. 6)

The Nittany Lions are one of the most storied programs in college football history, with 8 national championships to their credit. Penn State has won the Big Ten East Division title three times since 2016, and they will be a major challenge for Indiana in 2025.

The Hoosiers have lost their last six games against Penn State, but they have come close to upsetting the Nittany Lions in recent years. In 2021, Indiana lost 24-0 to Penn State in Beaver Stadium. The Hoosiers had a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but they fumbled the ball away on the Penn State 1-yard line.

Indiana will need to play a near-perfect game to beat Penn State in 2025. The Hoosiers will need to force turnovers, limit big plays, and execute their game plan on both sides of the ball.

If Indiana can pull off the upset, it would be a major statement win for the program. It would also give the Hoosiers a much-needed boost in the Big Ten East standings.

Postseason Implications

Big Ten Title Game Considerations

The Hoosiers’ chances of reaching the Big Ten Championship Game largely depend on their performance in conference play. A strong record could position them as a contender for a spot in Indianapolis.

Bowl Game Possibilities

Indiana’s postseason fate will also be influenced by its overall record. With a strong showing, the Hoosiers could secure a berth in a prestigious bowl game.

Best-Case Scenario

A 10-2 record, including a 7-2 mark in conference play, would put Indiana in prime position for the Big Ten title game. A win there would send them to the College Football Playoff.

Breakdown of Best-Case Scenario

Indiana’s Record	Big Ten Record
10-2	7-2
Big Ten East Champion	Big Ten Title Game Winner
College Football Playoff Participant	–

Worst-Case Scenario

A 3-9 record, including a 1-8 mark in conference play, would leave the Hoosiers well short of a bowl game.

Breakdown of Worst-Case Scenario

Indiana’s Record	Big Ten Record
3-9	1-8
No Bowl Game Berth	–

Indiana 2025 Football Schedule

The Indiana Hoosiers football team has released its 2025 schedule, which features a challenging slate of opponents. The Hoosiers will open the season at home against the Ohio State Buckeyes, followed by a road game against the Michigan Wolverines. Indiana will also face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions, the Purdue Boilermakers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the 2025 season.

The Hoosiers will look to improve on their 4-8 record from the 2023 season. Head coach Tom Allen will be entering his seventh season at the helm of the program, and he will be looking to lead Indiana to its first bowl game since 2020.