Indiana football is done playing nice under Curt Cignetti

Indiana football is in uncharted waters, and that’s not a sentiment this program is used to hearing. Historically, the Hoosiers have been synonymous with struggle. In a century filled with frustrating seasons and futile attempts at relevance, they’ve consistently been one of the worst programs in college football history. But 2024? That’s a different story.

Forget the past. In this new era, the Hoosiers are building something special. It’s not about what happened in the last hundred years; it’s about what’s happening right now. And what’s happening right now is that Indiana football boasts a championship level coaching staff, paired with a championship level mindset within the locker room. It’s evident in every snap, every huddle, and every game. What’s even more exciting? Curt Cignetti hasn’t even had a full year yet.

Curt Cignetti’s impact on Indiana football

The real magic begins once Cignetti has a full recruiting cycle under his belt, a year to truly cement his culture, and time to scour the transfer portal for the kind of talent that can compete in a gauntlet like the Big Ten. When you watch Indiana play now, the signs of that future are already on display. They’re playing the right way. They demand excellence, and they approach every game with the mindset of professionals.

Cignetti is dangerous, and not just because of his coaching acumen. He doesn’t care about the prestige of your program, your brand, or your history. His sole focus is winning and demanding excellence. No matter who the Hoosiers line up against, he’s not intimidated, and neither are his players. His mission is simple: to outplay and out-coach every team that stands in their way.

Indiana football earning respect on a national scale

In fact, the buzz around Cignetti’s program is reaching new heights. Even Ohio State beat writer Stephen Means recently raised eyebrows by ranking Indiana 7th in his latest poll. Yes, ahead of storied programs like Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma. This Indiana football program, which still hasn’t fully hit its stride, is already earning respect among some of the biggest names in the sport. And that’s before the full impact of Cignetti’s recruiting, culture-setting, and transfer portal work is even felt.

ESPN College Gameday

This isn’t some pandemic season like 2020, where the Hoosiers got a taste of success but were ultimately hindered (lowkey cheated by the league) by a strange Big Ten season. This is the real deal. This is the future of Indiana football under Curt Cignetti, and it’s coming fast. It wouldn’t be shocking to see them favored in every game on their schedule, outside of Ohio State on November 23rd.

And that’s the new reality in Bloomington. Indiana is no longer a doormat in the Big Ten. They’re contenders, and everyone better start getting used to it. Curt Cignetti has arrived, and Indiana football is stepping on the gas. Buckle up.

SEE ALSO: ‘Having a quarterback like that is a dream’: Kurtis Rourke continues phenomenal season, taking IU football offense to new heights

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