What: #20 Indiana Hoosiers (0-0) vs. Old Dominion Monarchs (0-0)
When: Saturday, August 30 at 2:30 pm
Where: Merchant Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on FS1 and can be heard on the IU Radio Network.
Spread and Total: Indiana (-23.5)/-2800 moneyline and point total of 54.5
Series History
The opening week matchup will be the first-ever meeting between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Old Dominion Monarchs. ODU has a 97-86 record as a football program in the FBS and they are 1-2 all-time in bowl games.
What’s at Stake
Yes, the Indiana Hoosiers made the College Football Playoff and the 2024 season was truly an unforgettable ride. Hopes are high for more success in 2025 as Curt Cignetti enters his second season, but the Hoosiers are 0-0 and none of what was accomplished last season matters at all to either team once they take the field on Saturday afternoon. Indiana has a tough schedule this season and they cannot afford to start flat against a very solid Old Dominion team that very nearly knocked off South Carolina on the road in week one last season and will be looking to finish the job on an upset this time around.
A Few Things to Look For
- Offensive Fireworks
The Indiana Hoosiers had one of the best offenses in the country in 2024 and they return stars like Elijah Sarratt, Omar Cooper and left tackle Carter Smith while adding running backs Roman Hemby and Lee Beebe, center Pat Coogan and quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It will be incredibly difficult to repeat or exceed the performance of the 2024 attack but there are plenty of reasons to think it is possible. Heck, CBS Sports recently placed Fernando Mendoza at number one in their last mock draft before the season begins! The preseason hype won’t matter when the ball kicks off. As Curt Cignetti has accurately said before, “it’s time to go to work”.
IU faces an Old Dominion defense with a nearly entirely new secondary and you can bet coordinator Mike Shanahan will try to put them to the test early and often. The key for IU’s offensive line will be keeping ODU’s strong linebackers at bay and preventing them from evening this game by forcing turnovers.
2. Limiting Dual Threat Colton Joseph
Sophomore quarterback Colton Joseph is the most dangerous player for the Old Dominion Monarchs. As a freshman, Joseph played in nine games and threw for 1,627 yards while rushing for 647 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns on the ground. Indiana’s defense led the nation in rushing defense a season ago and they were outstanding in limiting and boxing in mobile quarterbacks:
- Keyone Jenkins – FIU – 10 attempts for -11 yards
- Trexler Ivey – Charlotte – 1 attempt for 3 yards
- Jack Lausch – Northwestern – 9 attempts for 34 yards
- Demond Williams – Washington – 3 attempts for 15 yards
- Aidan Chiles – Michigan State – 9 attempts for -2 yards
- Riley Leonard – Notre Dame – 11 attempts for 30 yards
Colton Joseph will be as stiff a test as any for the rush defense of Bryant Haines’ unit. He has games of 65 yards, 68, 98, 111, 69 and 158 yards against Marshall. Containing Colton Joseph’s running ability will be a key to getting the ODU offense off the field.
3. New Hoosiers
I’m not referring to IU’s new mascot, Hoosier the Bison, that will be making its debut on Saturday afternoon. No, I’m referring to the many new contributors that will be making their first appearance in an IU uniform. That includes the aforementioned Pat Coogan plus Zen Michalski and former Hoosier Khalil Benson on the offensive line, tight ends Holden Staes and Riley Nowakowski, running backs Lee Beebe and Roman Hemby, wide receiver Jonathan Brady and of course, quarterback Fernando Mendoza on the offensive side of the ball.
On defense, IU has several new pieces upfront including players like Kellan Wyatt and Hosea Wheeler and new members of the secondary like Rylan Gandy and Amariyun Knighten. Lou Moore is expected to play despite being in the midst of an ongoing battle over his eligibility with a court in Texas. Even special teams will see a new face as UCF transfer Mitch McCarthy will be the starting punter. These players are going to play pivotal roles for the Hoosiers and it will be fascinating to see how each new piece fits in during week one action.
Game Week Links
Hoosier Huddle Podcast: #20 Indiana vs. Old Dominion Preview and Predictions
IU Will Raise the Victory Flag vs. ODU If…
IU Reactionary: Week One IUFB Prediction and Preview
Matchup to Watch: ODU QB Colton Joseph vs. IU’s Run Defense
Numbers That Matter: #20 Indiana vs. Old Dominion
Week 1 Know Your Opponent – Old Dominion Monarchs