Indiana’s Cinderella story in college football has captured the hearts of fans everywhere, and it’s all happening under the guidance of first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. With a remarkable record of 10-0 and a perfect 7-0 in the Big Ten, the Hoosiers have become a force to be reckoned with this season. But with success comes scrutiny, especially regarding their strength of schedule, which currently ranks 106th according to ESPN’s FPI resume rankings.
Curt Cignetti fires back at critics
During his introductory press conference, Cignetti made waves by challenging any Indiana fan who questioned his hiring to simply “Google me.” That same bravado was on full display Wednesday as he addressed the outside criticisms regarding his team’s schedule. “Do your research,” he urged during an appearance on The Triple Option podcast. “Google us … so you know something about us besides our name and what we’ve done in the past, and what somebody else says about our schedule.”
Responding to the critics
As Indiana continues its remarkable run, the skepticism has intensified, particularly from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) camp. SEC Network host Paul Finebaum weighed in on the matter, stating, “If Indiana has a great game Saturday, good for them, but I don’t think they will and they should not be where they are based on their schedule so far because they have beaten no one.” This sentiment echoes the doubts that have been swirling around the Hoosiers as they prepare for a crucial matchup against No. 2 Ohio State.
Strength of schedule issues
Critics point out that Indiana hasn’t faced a single opponent currently ranked in the Top 30 nationally, according to the Sagarin rankings. In stark contrast, two-loss SEC teams like Alabama, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Tennessee are ranked 7th, 9th, 10th, and 11th, respectively, and have at least one Top 25 victory to their name. Their strength of schedules ranks first (Georgia), 16th (Alabama), 18th (Tennessee), and 29th (Ole Miss). So, is the criticism justified?
Cignetti stands firm
Despite the naysayers, Cignetti remains unfazed by the analytics and statistics being thrown around. He took direct aim at his SEC critics, pointing out that schedules are often set years in advance. “You know these schedules are set years in advance. And I mean, Alabama played Mercer, Georgia played Chattanooga, right? Vanderbilt played Georgia State but lost,” he argued. “The schedule is what it is, and the fact of the matter is we’ve beaten seven P4 teams. … We also beat the defending national champ (Michigan) and runner-up (Washington).
Decisive victories
He further emphasized the dominance of his team, stating, “For the most part, except for the Michigan game, which we didn’t play very well in the second half, every game has been a decisive victory. We didn’t trail until two weeks ago. We were behind at Michigan State 10-0 in the first quarter and then rattled off 47 straight. You know?”
The big test ahead
With the Hoosiers on the brink of something special, they have a golden opportunity to silence the critics this Saturday against Ohio State. A win not only secures their first Top 25 victory but also locks up a spot in the upcoming Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis against top-ranked Oregon. Cignetti is keenly aware of the stakes and is focused on the task at hand. “It’s all going to be played out on the field,” he said. “So obviously we have a game this week (Ohio State) and a game next week, and most people have 2-3 games left, and then there’s conference championship games.”
Controlling the noise
In a world filled with distractions and noise, Cignetti emphasizes the importance of focusing on what they can control. “I ask our team to kind of eliminate the noise and the clutter, control the controllables, and focus on what’s going to help them be the best on Saturday, so I have to do the same thing.”
As the Hoosiers prepare for their pivotal matchup, fans are left wondering: Can Indiana prove their worth against one of the top teams in the nation? With Cignetti at the helm, there’s no doubt that the Hoosiers are ready to take on the challenge head-on. The stage is set, and the excitement is palpable. Will Indiana rise to the occasion and solidify their place in college football history? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: this season has already been one for the books.
