Started By
Message

Indiana-Do you think they’re legit?

Posted on 10/12/25 at 10:35 am
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1438 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 10:35 am
I do. I was skeptical last year but they’ve been impressive the last two weeks. Curt Cignetti is cocky but he’s backed it up and has taken a perennial doormat and made them impressive.

If Florida fires Billy Napier, the Gators would do well to hire Cignetti. He would introduce toughness and discipline to a program that’s floundering.
Posted by Funky Tide 8
Bayou Chico
Member since Feb 2009
55758 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 10:50 am to
Hes 64 years old, but it really doesn't seem like he's lacking energy.

Only concern if I were a fan of an sec team looking for a coach is that building up a program with little expectations of success in the big 10 is much, much different than coming into a big, storied SEC program like Florida and trying to rebuild there.
Posted by tide06
Member since Oct 2011
19856 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 10:52 am to
In a year with only one ultra elite team IU is legit.

If you can beat Oregon at Oregon you’re legit.

If they were wearing ND uniforms they’d be getting first place votes with Ohio State.
Posted by RelentlessTide
Member since Feb 2020
3977 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 10:55 am to
Cignetti constantly reference Saban’s mentorship. Indiana will do whatever they can to keep him. And they are said to be strong financially
Posted by Amarillo Tide
Amarillo, TX
Member since Aug 2023
1438 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 10:56 am to
Notre Dame could have four losses and STILL make it to the playoffs.
Posted by CapstoneGrad06
Little Rock
Member since Nov 2008
73208 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 11:00 am to
I think they are legitimate. It’s the name on the jersey that’s not allowing some people to accept it. In this new era, decades long precedent doesn’t matter as much. Great coach, NIL, and rebuilding through the portal makes this possible.

And Indiana signed him to a long term contract last offseason. His buyout is over $50 million if I recall.
Posted by bamarep
Member since Nov 2013
52341 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 11:05 am to
Saw a stat last night that this was the first time Indiana had beaten a top 5 team on the road in their history.

I found that shocking given the fact that they play Michigan and OSU nearly every year.
Posted by CapstoneGrad06
Little Rock
Member since Nov 2008
73208 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 11:10 am to
First time since 1967. They defeated #3 Purdue on the road that season.
Posted by narddogg81
Vancouver
Member since Jan 2012
21824 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 11:22 am to
quote:

In a year with only one ultra elite team IU is legit.
who's that ultra elite team?
Posted by TizzyT4theUofA
This side of eternity
Member since Jun 2016
12082 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 11:25 am to
No
Posted by CrimsonCrusade
Member since Jan 2014
5662 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:11 pm to
quote:

If you can beat Oregon at Oregon you’re legit.


Oregon's stadium would be the second smallest in the SEC, ahead of only Vanderbilt. Most overhyped environment in college football.
Posted by Tide Groupee
Member since Aug 2025
360 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:16 pm to
100% legit. Mendoza is a good QB, they've got a great offensive scheme with pinpoint execution.

Their defense is tough.

I think Indiana will beat OSU, and probably win the Big 10.

Cignetti is a freaking beast of a coach to do what he's doing at Indiana. Some blue blood is going to throw crazy money at him soon - could be Michigan.
Posted by Chris ALL Capps
Member since Jan 2024
432 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:22 pm to
Ohio St will beat them. As much as I hate to say it they're probably going to repeat.
Posted by Tide Groupee
Member since Aug 2025
360 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:27 pm to
quote:

As much as I hate to say it they're probably going to repeat.

Based on what? A close win over Texas at home?

I just looked at their schedule and OSU plays 1 ranked team all year - Illinois, who they just beat.

What in the absolute frick? college football has gotten insanely unfair with strength of schedule.

We play 7 top 25 teams. OSU plays 1. This is insanely unfair.
This post was edited on 10/12/25 at 12:29 pm
Posted by Bham Bammer
Member since Nov 2014
16105 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:27 pm to
Yes, their defense looks very sound. I don’t think they are a top three team but they are pretty dang good.
Posted by InkStainedWretch
Member since Dec 2018
4608 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:31 pm to
Solid team, remains to be seen if they’re good enough to play for the big trophy.
Posted by Chris ALL Capps
Member since Jan 2024
432 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:33 pm to
They'll benefit from skating into the playoffs relatively unscathed from their schedule. They are going to be about as close of a sure thing to make the playoffs every year due to the scheduling imbalance between the SEC & the BIG. Add that on top of being that much more talented than anyone in your conference and there you go.
Posted by MrPigskin
Member since Sep 2023
1038 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 12:41 pm to
Agree that they’re a solid team, in a year where there are no truly elite & disciplined teams. But so far this season, it’s made for a lot of really good tight games.
Posted by phil4bama
Emerald Coast of PCB
Member since Jul 2011
11757 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 1:04 pm to
Yes, they are legit. They pass the eyeball test easily. So the B1G is already down to a 2 team race: IU and OSU. They are on a different level than the rest of that piss poor league. Kentucky and Miss State would be middle of the pack in that joke of a conference. Michigan, Illinois, and USC are decent. The rest of the league beyond those 5 teams is mediocre to bad to terrible. Before yesterday, Northwestern’s 3 wins were La Monroe, Western Illinois, and UCLA before their reawakening. That game appeared to be for the conference cellar until UCLA changed coaches. Tulane boatraced them. As another poster mentioned, it’s hardly fair that Ohio State gets to rest their starters after halftime in all but about 3 games a year while the SEC teams have a dogfight week in and week out. The wear and tear certainly is cumulative.
This post was edited on 10/12/25 at 1:10 pm
Posted by Chris ALL Capps
Member since Jan 2024
432 posts
Posted on 10/12/25 at 1:15 pm to
What I find most humorous is when you talk to an Ohio St fan and they'll sit there with a straight face and try to explain how teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Rutgers etc are legit teams that they have to be ready for.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow SECRant for SEC Football News
Follow us on X and Facebook to get the latest updates on SEC Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitter