Only one time in 2023 was Indiana favored to win a game by more points than they’ll be when they open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 against Florida International.
And that one time a year ago came against an FCS opponent — Indiana State.
Indiana needs to roll through their non-conference schedule with relative ease this fall, and Draft Kings Sportsbook thinks that will be the case in week one.
According to Draft Kings Sportsbook, Indiana is an 18.5 point favorite against FIU.
New IU head coach Curt Cignetti will begin his Indiana tenure on Saturday, August 31, with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff against FIU at Memorial Stadium, it was announced on Thursday. The game will air on BTN.
The 2024 meeting will be the fourth all-time between the two programs and the first since a 38-28 Indiana victory in Miami, Florida, during the 2018 season.
The only time IU was favored by more points a year ago was week two, when the Hoosiers were slotted as a 33.5 point favorite against Indiana State.
We should add a word of caution, however, as IU was a 17-point favorite in a home game against Akron last season but had to steal that contest in overtime.
Indiana also faces Western Illinois and Charlotte for nonconference games this season in weeks two and four. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, they should be double-digit favorites in those contests as well.
In his preseason SP+ rankings, ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranks FIU as the No. 124 FBS team in the nation (out of 134), while Charlotte is No. 127. Western Illinois is in the FCS.
FIU finished 4-8 a year ago, and just 1-7 in Conference USA. They do return 68% of their production from a year ago, and that ranks No. 34 nationally according to Connelly.
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