Curt Cignetti & IU long post from a Bama fan

There is no doubt CC is a GREAT old school football coach. IMO he's an even better new school Portal/NIL coach. His combined usage of the portal/NIL, old school player development, and "fit his system" recruiting turned one of the worst teams (legacy & culture wise) into an instant juggernaut. RESPECT. I don't know what will happen in the Rose Bowl - but I'm certain Indiana will come in well prepared, well coached, and with a gameplan that features Indiana's strengths and takes advantage of Alabama's weaknesses. Alabama will do the same under KDs competent staff, but with a needed slight overall talent advantage. It is obvious CC has done more with less at IU than KD has done with more at Bama in the same two year time span. Schedule strength comparisons favor Alabama - but I don't see that as much of a Bama advantage. Indiana is legit - a real college power with everything they need to win. Beating IU will be KDs most significant challenge in his 2 year Alabama career.

I'm a Bama fan heart and soul. But I can't help but respect and admire what CC has done at IU. I hope after this game I see and feel KD is up to the challenge of modern Portal/NIL College football - because that is exactly what Cignetti's Indiana team is. This is a landmark test of the new era of college football between a blue-blooded old money team and a new-money tempest. Of all the games I've seen in the last decade this one is the most interesting to me.