Curt Cignetti and the microphone have been the ultimate duo this season for bold, unfiltered chatter. The Hoosiers’ head coach strutted into College GameDay like he’d just unlocked the secret to the game, throwing shade with confidence. But then came Nick Saban, the coaching GOAT, armed with a single, razor-sharp line that shut Cignetti down faster than a WiFi signal in a basement. It was a mic-drop reminder of who really runs the show in college football. Now, how’s he going to bounce back after getting roasted by the GOAT?

ESPN’s College Game Day became much more intense than expected. And things took a different turn when Hoosiers’ head coach joined the show just a few hours ahead of their showdown against Notre Dame. When host Pat McAfee asked Curt Cignetti about what this win would mean for the team, Coach Cignetti was ready to drop some serious knowledge.

He said, “Look, there are a lot of skeptics, a lot of doubters; I get it, right? Hadn’t beaten a top-25 team. Nebraska was 25th in the coaches poll, and we beat their a—s 56-7, you know, and I’ve never beaten a top-25 team, well, Coastal Carolina, back when we were little James Madison moving up to the Sun Belt… beat them 47-7, so we don’t just beat top-25 teams; we beat the s–t out of them.”  Now that’s some bold talk!

But the fact still stands that the Hoosiers didn’t beat any AP Top 25 teams this season. However, soon Curt Cignetti got a grounding reality check from Nick Saban when the former Bama wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator discussed how Nick Saban influenced his coaching, saying, “The things I learned from Coach Saban, the things we did at Alabama, and then put into my thoughts and words. I would say it’s very similar; now maybe some of our methods are a little different, but I’d say the overall program philosophy in terms of being process-centered, high standards, expectations, holding people accountable, consistency, performance, and how you do everything is the same.”

Both of them worked together from 2007 to 2010 for Bama, but Saban’s surprising comment over Cignetti’s words is the most funny and surprising thing so far, as he says, “One thing you didn’t learn from me was all the s—t you talk.” Ouch! A bit of a burn, but they were enjoying the playful teasing. However, the question is, do Coach Cignetti’s claims hold any depth?

It’s been a long-going debate that the Indiana Hoosiers have just gotten lucky with their schedule, and that’s the reason they are one of the teams listed in the playoffs. But winning games with a rooster that’s not that strong and making their way till the end doesn’t mean anything in the game?

The Indiana Hoosiers had a remarkable win over the Michigan Wolverines (20-15). But let’s be real, Michigan wasn’t exactly on top of their game this season. Indiana’s success felt like a dream, especially considering their opponents’ difficulties. Moreover, when Indiana actually had a chance to play against a ranked foe, that is Ohio State, they fell apart with a high margin of 38-15. So how does playing against Nebraska and Coastal Carolina even count here? Now that they are going to play against Notre Dame, the verbal claims might not work the way Coach Cignetti wants them to.

Can Curt Cignetti change Hoosiers’ fate?

Let’s be clear on one thing: the Indiana Hoosiers have been one of the surprising teams this season. Now who can think of the Hoosiers as a team that will be playing a playoff game when their condition in the Big 10 was just like a doormat for most of their existence? Coach Cignetti not only flipped Indiana’s record from 3-9 to 11-1 this year but also made them a strong team in terms of their rankings in the playoffs. That’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

However, against Notre Dame, it might not be an easy run. The team is famous for creating pressure on their opponent’s offense. They call it the ‘creeper’ pressure technique, as their defensive backs sneak up on the line right before the snap. This could create a lot of mess around the field for the Hoosiers boys. Even Adam Breneman hit Indiana with a hard reality.

Breneman said, “I think Kurtis Rourke will play well in this game, but I give that with a big but there. Notre Dame’s going to win this game because of how physical Notre Dame is in the trenches and how good Notre Dame’s defense is.” Now this could be a matter of concern for the Hoosiers.

But we can also not ignore the fact that Indiana has Kurtis Rourke with them, who has led the offense to a peak of excellence. With a completion rate of 70.4 percent for 2827 yards and 27 touchdown passes, Kurtis is making Indiana’s way throughout this season. Kurtis is the Golden Boy of Curt Cignetti’s dynasty, and he could be a game-changer for them today. Now let’s just wait and see if Coach Cignetti’s bold claims translate into victory.