Josh Hoover is forcing his way into the Heisman conversation one clean week at a time.
The TCU transfer has now thrown four touchdown passes in back-to-back games, and even with a light workload, he’s stacking up the kind of numbers that get attention. Through two games, Hoover has completed 19 of 27 passes for 376 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. That kind of efficiency doesn’t go unnoticed, especially when voters and sportsbooks are scanning the board for early movement.
His odds have already climbed, too. As of Saturday night via FanDuel, Hoover sits at +1700, which gives him the eighth-best Heisman odds. Miami quarterback Darian Mensah is the current favorite at +550, followed by Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (+700), Texas quarterback Arch Manning (+850), Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (+1000), Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney (+1200), Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (+1200), and Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (+1500).
The schedule has helped shape the story so far. Indiana opened with North Texas and Howard, and Western Kentucky is next, so Hoover likely won’t be asked to carry a heavy load just yet. Still, the expectation is that he’ll keep piling up touchdowns while the competition level remains manageable.
That changes once Big Ten play arrives.
When Indiana gets into league games, Hoover should be throwing more often - 20-plus attempts a game, according to the projection in the source. How he handles those first two Big Ten tests, against Northwestern and at Rutgers, could push him into the top five of the Heisman race.
And if he really wants to make this a serious run, the October matchups with Ohio State and Michigan are the ones that could define everything. If he shines there, he’ll be right in the thick of the finalist discussion.
In Other News...
Indiana's Defensive Rotation Just Put A New Spotlight On Its Depth
Indianas defense spent the season opener against Howard spreading the work around, and the snap counts showed just how many options the Hoosiers are willing to use on that side of the ball. Mario Landino and Chiddi Obiazor were among the pressure leaders, Rolijah Hardy added an interception return for a touchdown, and a long list of freshmen and players seeking extra eligibility got meaningful run in the 55-0 win.
That kind of rotation is useful in a blowout, but it also hints at how Indiana may want to defend when the games tighten up. The mix of established contributors and newer faces gives the staff plenty to sort through, especially as it tries to determine which players can keep the standard high when the competition gets stronger. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Freshmen Are Already Pushing For Bigger Hoosiers Roles
Indiana got another look at its young depth in the win over Howard, and a cluster of true freshmen on offense wasted no time getting into the mix. Jayreon Campbell, Parker Elmore, Lavar Keys and Kenton Mondeau all logged their first college snaps in the second game, with Campbell making the biggest immediate imprint by carrying the ball five times for 36 yards.
The early returns were just as encouraging on the other side of the ball, where linebacker Jacob Savage followed up his previous outing with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. For a program trying to build reliable depth, those kinds of first steps matter, and the next question is how quickly those freshmen can turn a brief taste of action into roles that actually stick. [Read more 🡒]
Indianas Offense Looked Dangerous In One Area Fans Will Notice
Indianas 55-0 win over Howard offered the kind of start any offense would take, but the most encouraging signs came from the way the Hoosiers attacked through the air and on the ground. Josh Hoover didnt need a huge volume of throws to make an impact, completing just over half his passes while finding the end zone four times on only six completions, and the supporting cast helped turn those chances into a rout.
Charlie Becker emerged as a particularly useful target, and Turbo Richard gave the run game a steady, physical edge with 108 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Joe Brunner and Nick Marsh also earned strong marks for their work in the trenches and in the passing game, leaving Indiana with the kind of balanced offensive showing that can build confidence even before the opposition level rises. [Read more 🡒]