After the shortest offseason in Indiana football history, the Hoosiers are ready to defend their title from a season ago. Their first task is the Mean Green of the University of North Texas.
The Indiana home opener will certainly have a different feel than past seasons, as Big Noon Kickoff will be in attendance. If you cannot be in Bloomington, this game is taking place on Fox at noon.
In this preview, I will be hitting the highlights of North Texas. For a more in-depth preview of the team and all of the changes, check out my other article: Two Game Tuesdays: Weeks 1 and 2.
North Texas
Offense
Tayven Jackson is now a senior and will be making his return to Bloomington this week for the Mean Green. The former four-star recruit will be making his appearance at his fourth school. He has never been consistent enough to compete at the P4 level, but he will have a better chance in the G5.
Jahiem White, the junior transfer from West Virginia, will be the focal point of this offense. He was mostly hurt a season ago, but in his first two years with the Mountaineers, he ran for over 1600 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Defense
The North Texas defensive line has reloaded, as they brought in productive players like Davion Rhodes (5 sacks at Georgia Southern University), Udoka Ezani (18 TFLs at the University of Texas El Paso) and David Onuhoa (2.5 sacks at the University of Massachusetts). This trio will be a formidable pass rush in the G5, and they will provide a test for the Indiana offensive line.
What to Watch For
Running Backs
I am watching to see the order that the running backs are deployed. Junior Turbo Richard, a transfer from Boston College, is expected to be the lead back, but Cignetti loves to employ multiple running backs. How the remaining touches are split between junior Khobie Martin, and redshirt senior Lee Beebe Jr. could give a great idea of the current depth chart.
Tight End Questions
This is the biggest question mark on the Indiana offense this year. Sophomore Brock Schott, a transfer from the University of Miami (FL), is the guy expected to get the start here. Something to note will be if he looks good running routes, but more importantly if he blocks well. Indiana has so many talented receivers that they really do not need someone to break out in the passing game. They need a reliable, smart player who knows and executes his assignments. If Schott can do this, the starting job will be his to lose.
Linebackers
I am not worried about the linebackers in any way. However, I do want to see how 5th year Isaiah Jones looks wearing the green dot and relaying signals in from the sideline. I have no doubts about his physical capabilities, but how does he perform with this added responsibility?
Stats to Know
Indiana’s margin of victory in the 23 regular season games they have won is not always that impressive in week 1. They beat Florida International University 31-7 in 2024, and Old Dominion 27-14 last year. These margins would rank 5th closest and tied for 10th closest in the Curt Cignetti era.
Do not panic if the score is not what you thought it should be or could be.
This is a part of the Curt Cignetti process, and he has earned the benefit of the doubt a thousand times over already.
The stat lines from Kurtis Rouke’s and Fernando Mendoza’s first games in an Indiana uniform:
180 yards and 1 touchdown for Kurtis Rouke.
193 yards and no touchdowns for Fernando Mendoza.
If Hoover has a stat line like this, do not panic. Quarterbacks take time to develop, and it is only game one. Remember these lines when you see the box score after the game and feel that pit in your stomach.
Prediction
If the stat that was mentioned above holds true, this game will be closer than people anticipate. I am predicting a 41-7 score in Indiana’s favor. The spread currently sits at 40.5, so this would actually be a North Texas cover. Indiana has a significant talent gap, coaching gap, and homefield advantage.
The journey back to the top of the mountain is not a sprint, but a marathon. The team is going to have flaws to start the season, and everyone will be getting back into the groove. For the casual fan, this is the perfect opportunity to learn everyone’s name, not stress about the mistakes that do happen throughout the course of the game.
Sit back and enjoy it, Hoosiers. The quest to repeat begins this week.
Links
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Cover image courtesy of the Indiana Daily Student