The Trinidad Chambliss story and Indiana story never happen without the portal

I agree! Crazy what Cignetti has done in 2 years at IU.

Cignetti has blown the 4-5 year plan out the water

He’s made a lot of coaches’ jobs harder

The average age of Indiana's starting players is 22.5.

He has grown men out there playing 19-20 year olds.

Well said

I am pulling for them both, but Ole Miss needed the 12 team playoff also.

Indiana has a lot of covid seniors and other high classman. Cignitti's flipped the script a bit by favoring guys who fit the scheme well, have experience and want to put the work in to get better over talented players who just give a frick about getting paid.

I'm sure the rest of college football will adapt soon, but it won't be this year.

Btw, it's not uncommon for teams like this to come out of no where. What will be uncommon is if they maintain it.

quote:

---

The average age of Indiana's starting players is 22.5. He has grown men out there playing 19-20 year olds.

---

BYU says hi. They used the "mission" for decades to get their OL an extra two years of age.

All of which says - maybe you DON'T pay $500K to the promising young LB out of wherever to sign on. Maybe it makes more sense to keep the money for proven talent. Or to retain the proven performers on your own roster.

Its not like you can't chart plays, and pay at least a portion of your budget on how many times you hit the field in a game. That data is collected by every team now.