Indiana vs Kennesaw State Prediction: The Hoosiers Should Be Sharp Against the Owls

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 4:38 PM ET

It was a better performance than it got credit for.

Indiana had no real issues with Old Dominion in a 27-14 win. It gave up a 75-yard touchdown run right away, and a 78-yard scoring dash late, and in between, there was total domination.

But that’s where things are now with the Hoosiers. They’re supposed to be razor-sharp, and those two runs were enough to be the storyline - and not the 502 yards of total offense.

They can’t afford too many mistakes in this, and if they get by, they’ll be 3-0 with Indiana State up next before starting the Big Ten season against Illinois.

Kennesaw State is just getting going under new head coach Jerry Mack. His Owls gave Wake Forest a devil of a time in a 10-9 loss, and now they try to play the spoiler before getting Merrimack next week.

Indiana vs Kennesaw State Preview: Hoosiers Need to Be Locked In

Indiana vs Kennesaw State: How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
Location: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
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Why Kennesaw State Will Win

Old Dominion didn’t generate any pressure in the IU backfield. The Owls will change that.

Why did Kennesaw State do to keep the Wake Forest game so tight? It struggled to throw, the running game wasn’t great, but the run defense was all over the Demon Deacon backfield. The attacking style took over the game, with four sacks and seven tackles for loss to stall drive after drive.

Do that again, complete a few more passes, and …

Why Indiana Will Win

Again, Indiana was fantastic last week outside of the two big Monarch runs.

It dominated the clock - Wake Forest owned the ball vs Kennesaw State - and had too many problems closing out with scores. That’s what Week One is for.

The offensive style negates good pass-rushing teams. Fernando Mendoza wasn’t perfect in his Hoosier debut, but he didn’t turn the ball over, the ground game was great, and this week, there isn’t the home run-hitting rushing threat to worry about.

Indiana’s Defense Will Play With a Purpose

To keep hammering this home, Indiana was fine last week. Take out those two huge ODU runs, and that Hoosier defense didn’t allow a thing.

But that’s not how things work under Curt Cignetti. Everything has to be cleaned up, sharper, and this week, more drives will end in points, and the defense will swarm all over the Owl ground game.

Indiana vs Kennesaw State Prediction, Betting Lines

Indiana 47, Kennesaw State 7
Line: Indiana -35.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Must See Rating: 2

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This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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