Well-known football media personality Kirk Herbstreit was one of many casting shade on Indiana following its first round loss in the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Herbstreit famously said IU was “not a team that should have been on that field” following its 27-17 defeat against Notre Dame in South Bend.
But Indiana went out and silenced the doubters in 2025, of course. Among many things that were accomplished, their 16-0 national championship season unequivocally proved that the 2024 team was every bit as good as advertised, and more than worthy of a spot in that year’s CFP.
Looking forward, Herbstreit has done a complete 180 on the Hoosiers.
The former Ohio State quarterback and lead ESPN college football analyst revealed his projected Big Ten winner on a recent edition of “Nonstop” with fellow ESPN analyst and Buckeye teammate Joey Galloway.
Herbstreit is picking the Hoosiers to repeat in the Big Ten. And he’s got the Oct. 17 game between IU and Ohio State in Bloomington circled as the reason why. Indiana has won a nation’s best 15 straight games at home, and Herbstreit doesn’t believe the Buckeyes will end that streak.
“I think Indiana wins the Big Ten, and I think it has a lot to do with getting Ohio State at home,” Herbstreit said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a significant drop-off from this team. I think Curt Cignetti’s not just an outstanding coach, but I think he may have the best tandem of coordinators in the entire country.”
Herbstreit is referring to IU defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, who Cignetti has managed to retain despite going 27-2 the last two seasons. Both Haines and Shanahan have received multiple raises to remain in Bloomington and provide the staff with significant continuity.
Indiana obviously has to replace Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, but Herbstreit believes Josh Hoover is up to the task.
“I think Hoover is, I don’t want to say underrated,” Herbstreit said. “I’ve watched this kid play a lot at TCU. A lot of people talk about the turnovers. I don’t think he’ll be put in a position to turn the ball over as much as he did when he was down at TCU.
“So, Ohio State may be more talented, especially with the offensive skill, but I think Indiana has just as much talent as they had a year ago.”
Herbstreit also pegged IU as a repeat No. 1 overall seed in the CFP, but he didn’t predict a repeat national title for the Hoosiers.
He instead picked Notre Dame.
But apparently Indiana is at least worthy of being on the field this time.
For complete coverage of IU football, GO HERE.
The Daily Hoosier –“Where Indiana fans assemble when they’re not at Assembly”
- You can follow us on X: @daily_hoosier and find us on Facebook and Instagram
- Seven ways to support completely free IU coverage at no cost to you.
