Curt Cignetti is known for his bombastic statements and uncanny predictions. Before even taking the reins, he boldly proclaimed a successful 2024 season. While the Hoosiers initially showed promise, their momentum has fizzled out, leaving them out of the Big Ten and CFP contention. As the dream fades, the Indiana Hoosiers’ head coach’s bold words and the team’s projected decline are now facing scrutiny from the college football world.

On Sports Talk with Dad on December 6, Tim (Dad) and Kyle (Son) talk passionately about why Indiana will not be at the CFP. While the son was cheering against Indiana, the dad seemed to be rooting for the Hoosiers. According to the video, Tim initially said, “Indiana deserves to be in the college football playoffs,” but his son disagreed, saying, “They didn’t play.” In the Big 10, they completely destroyed several middle-tier teams. The only ranked opponent they faced was Ohio State. That is why this college football playoff will not include Curt Cignetti’s team, as per Kyle. 

Tim, however, countered Kyle’s claim by saying, “They played with all.” And they deserve inclusion. You can’t overlook the eleven-and-one team, either. You simply cannot. But instead of making a decision and highlighting his perspective on Indiana, Kyle clarified the matter by declaring, “Ohio State losing to Michigan. It really, really hurt Indiana. Look at the AP poll. They are 10 right now; looking at NCAA they are 11 right now.”

Indiana’s ranking of No.9 in the penultimate CFP rankings is precarious. Kyle pointed out how other teams could potentially leapfrog them, and ultimately, anything can happen in the final rankings. “Well, you already moving back one spot; Iowa State or Arizona State are getting in, and they’re both ranked below them. If Boise State loses, that’s a team that’s going to get in that’s ranked below Clemson and SMU and Clemson wins. Well, that’s another knock against them. And then you have Georgia. If Georgia beats Texas, that makes Alabama’s loss look a lot better,” he added. 

But according to Tim, Alabama has no chance of getting in after three losses. Then Kyle wrapped up the Indiana scenario by confirming that, given the circumstances, he didn’t see Indiana remaining in the college football playoffs. In the middle of all of this, Curt Cignetti once again demonstrates his value. His winning mentality has made him the standard for Big Ten coaches.

Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers are having a breakout season

Do you recall when, before becoming head coach, Cignetti said the Hoosiers would have a 10-win season? He has, in fact, outdone himself. And there’s no denying that the “Google me” guy has been able to do it all. This season, the rookie head coach led them from a dismal 3-win season to an impressive 11-win one. Are you aware that the Hoosiers’ victories in 1945 and 1967 set the previous record of nine?

That necessitates some impressive titles. The Big Ten Coach of the Year award was given to Indiana HC on Tuesday, December 3. Cignetti joins Tom Allen and Bill Mallory as the 3rd coach in the program’s history to receive this accolade. For Cignetti, though, this is not new. Anywhere he stopped, he was able to use his magic spell, after all. As a result, this was the fourth conference Coach of the Year honor for the Indiana head coach.

He and James Madison were named Sun Belt Coaches of the Year the previous year. Prior to that, he won the Coach of the Year award from the Colonial Athletic Association in 2017 with Elon and so on. Now, who else than Curt Cignetti, with his impressive list of accolades, is good enough to lead Indiana? No matter how this season ends for Indiana, it’s clear that Cignetti is a valuable asset to the team.