“I win. Google me.” Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has more than backed up his bold claims that he made just before Christmas, 2023. He’s not wrong, considering he had great success at James Madison, Elon (FCS), and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (D-II). Heading into 2024, Cignetti had a 119-35 with two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (D-II) west division titles, one PSAC title, three Colonial Athletic Association (FCS) titles, and two Sun Belt East titles. Plus, the only reason Cignetti did not win the Sun Belt in those two years was because James Madison was ineligible for postseason play.
Now, Indiana is 9-0.
Talk to your kids about a College Football Playoff Indiana appearance.
Prepare Yourself for a College Football Playoff Featuring…Indiana
At 9-0, Indiana’s work is not done. While some bluebloods from the SEC or Big Ten could get the benefit of the doubt at 9-3 due to multiple #QualityLosses, Indiana does not that have privilege. Heading into this weekend, there were eight unbeaten teams: (1) Oregon, (3) Penn State, (5) Miami (FL), (9) BYU, (11) Iowa State, (13) Indiana, (18) Pitt, and (21) Army. Penn State lost. Iowa State lost. Pitt lost.
Due to schedules and lack of prestige, none of the unbeaten teams could survive three losses over the next four weeks. Duh.
Indiana has a great opportunity ahead of it. Next week, the Hoosiers host an atrocious Michigan team without the Wolverines’ ability to cheat scout. Then, they are off and get two weeks to prepare for a trip to Ohio State. Indiana then finishes the season with Purdue at home.
Indiana has a prime opportunity to go 11-1 or even 12-0 if it beats Ohio State for the first time since 1988.
Get to Know The Hoosiers
Cignetti has been the one taking up all the headlines thanks to his off-season comments. Aside from his “I win” comment, in his introductory speech at an Indiana basketball game, Cignetti said, “Purdue sucks…and so does Michigan and Ohio State.” Big words, considering:
Indiana is 2-52-1 against Ohio State since Cignetti was born lol https://t.co/vvIJq8Yy8i
— Drew (@DrewCrabtree12) December 2, 2023
Kurtis Rourke has been a revelation for the Hoosiers. In eight games (he missed last week due to an injury), Rourke has thrown for 2,204 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 73.3 percent of his passes with just three interceptions. He has led one of the top-scoring offenses in the nation to eight wins and it took them until this week to even trail at any point in the game.
Rourke is a well-known name if you paid attention to #MACtion. As a good, red-blooded American, you SHOULD pay attention to #MACtion, but we digress…
Rourke was a star at Ohio and even won the MAC MVP in 2022 despite his season ending early with an ACL tear. He was one of the greatest quarterbacks in the Bobcats’ history and is on his way to etch his name in Indiana lore. He is currently on pace to come short of the program record for single-season passing. However, with Michigan (236 passing yards allowed per game) and Purdue (245 passing yards allowed per game), that mark is within striking distance.
He has a number of weapons. The Hoosiers have six different players with multiple receiving touchdowns. Pick your poison. Omar Cooper, Jr. and Elijah Sarratt have led the way. Cooper has 474 yards and four touchdowns off 21 catches and Sarratt leads the way with 609 yards and five touchdowns with just 37 receptions.
Don’t Forget the Defense
Indiana is incredibly stout on defense. Through nine games, the Hoosiers have allowed just 13.7 points per game. That includes back-to-back games where they allowed 28 and 24 points.
Of course, the caveat exists: who have they played? However, Indiana has passed every test.
Aiden Fisher is the leader of the defense. To this point, he’s tallied 84 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and three pass breakups. The Hoosiers have 13 players with at least one sack and 19 with at least one TFL.
Mikail Kamara is a name to remember on the defense as well. Kamara has 34 tackles on the year…with 14.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, and two pass breakups.
Amare Ferrell is one of six defenders with an interception on the year and one of three with at least two. After two picks on Saturday, he has four interceptions to go with 36 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 1.0 sacks, and one pass defensed.
Indiana is going to be a College Football Playoff team. Or, they should be if the committee has any courage.
The initial CFP rankings will come out November 5 as the most important news-worthy occasion of the day (right?).
If there is any justice in this world, Indiana will be well-entrenched in the CFP. Assuming Indiana moves ahead of Texas A&M, Clemson, and Iowa State due to their respective losses to 10, Indiana will likely slot in as the 10th-ranked team in the committee rankings and seeded 10th as the sixth at-large team in the field.
The committee swears the name on the front of the jersey won’t matter.
Time will tell.
With one more win, Indiana might be left out. With two more wins, the Hoosiers should be CFP-bound. With three wins, Indiana will have an opportunity to play for the Big Ten and a top-four seed.
Unreal.
