Indiana football may be on a bye, but Curt Cignetti still found a way to make noise this week.
During his weekly radio show at Yogi’s in downtown Bloomington, where he was joined by Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer, Cignetti was asked about the first College Football Playoff rankings. Indiana landed at No. 4, a spot that drew plenty of pushback from around the college football world.
Cignetti didn’t exactly soften his response.
“Come on,” Cignetti said with a laugh. “These people, and there’s a whole bunch of ‘em, they march out of the tent and they’re given instructions on what to say and they follow the company line, right? And I don’t need to go any further.”
He kept going from there, pointing directly at the SEC and ESPN.
“SEC gets a lot of love from ESPN, you know, and all their writers that they don’t technically pay but march to their drum. So, and that’s why you see all these SEC teams up there, you know, and some good two-loss teams from the Big Ten, not quite as high. But like I said, it’s all going to be played out on the field.”
Cignetti was speaking to a local Bloomington audience and an Indiana fan base, not a national room, but the comments spread quickly anyway, which is no surprise given how often his remarks travel. It also fits a pattern for him: when there’s a chance to defend the Big Ten, he usually takes it.
The Hoosiers are off this week, but Cignetti’s latest comments made sure Indiana stayed in the conversation.
In Other News...
Indianas Quarterback Decision Suddenly Feels Bigger Than One Minnesota Win
Curt Cignetti spent part of his radio show this week trying to put Indianas quarterback situation in clearer focus, and the conversation only underscored how much the position now shapes the Hoosiers outlook. Starter Josh Hoover is still recovering from the injury he sustained against Ohio State and is resting for now, while Grant Wilson stepped in after halftime against Minnesota and helped steady the offense in a game Indiana eventually won in overtime.
Wilsons path to this moment has been a winding one, including a return to Bloomington after another player transferred, but Cignetti said he has confidence in the backups ability to handle the job. With Hoover unavailable and Wilson having just delivered in a pressure spot, the Hoosiers suddenly have a quarterback question that reaches beyond one comeback win and into the next stretch of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Urban Meyer Just Added Fuel To Indianas Playoff Debate
Urban Meyers latest turn in the College Football Playoff conversation only sharpened the pressure around Indianas place in the race. The former Ohio State coach, now working as a FOX commentator, said the Buckeyes are on life support in the rankings and need to keep winning, while also pointing out that Indiana has climbed high despite a schedule that has drawn scrutiny. He also flagged Notre Dames thin margin for error, adding another layer to a crowded national picture.
For Indiana, the bigger takeaway is not just where the Hoosiers sit, but how little room there is for any of the contenders to slip. Ohio States recent losses and difficult stretch ahead have made the Big Ten path even more crowded, and every ranking update seems to invite a fresh debate about who has earned its spot and who still has work to do. In a playoff race this tight, Indiana is no longer just trying to stay in the conversation - it is part of the argument. [Read more 🡒]
Indiana Faces A Real QB Decision As CFP Pressure Builds
With Indiana trying to keep its College Football Playoff push on track, the quarterback situation has become a real week-to-week issue. Curt Cignetti said starter Josh Hoover has been dealing with injuries, and backup Grant Wilson made a strong impression after stepping in during the recent game, giving the Hoosiers at least something to think about as they sort out the most important position on the field.
The timing matters because Indiana has not been getting enough from the offense even while the defense has held up its end. Cignetti also took aim at the way the CFP rankings and surrounding media chatter are being framed, making clear that the only evaluation that really counts will come on the field, where the Hoosiers still have to settle their quarterback question before the stakes get any higher. [Read more 🡒]