The Indiana Hoosiers were able to survive a close call this weekend to move to 10-0, the best record in football. After what could have easily been a loss at Penn State if it wasn't for quarterback Fernando Mendoza's crazy comeback touchdown drive, head coach Curt Cignetti allowed himself and his team to celebrate, but went right back to setting everyone straight on Monday.
Cigentti is known as the coach who speaks his mind and definitely doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve during a game. Fans finally got to see what some of that emotion looked like after the Penn State game, but it was back to straight facings and shooting the media straight a couple of days later.
In his weekly press conference, Cignetti knew he had to be frank about the way the rest of the season is going to unfold for the Hoosiers, and he made it clear it won't be easy.
Curt Cignetti knows every team is coming at the Hoosiers with everything they got
"I think we need to understand that we're gonna get everyone's best shot."
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 10, 2025
🗣️ Curt Cignetti on No. 2 @IndianaFootball pic.twitter.com/h6FMXSBC66
Last season was truly a dream season for Indiana, and many thought it was a fluke, but this season is showing everyone that the Hoosiers are planning to stick around for the long haul. That means that Indiana now has a big target on its back, and the more they win, the bigger it grows.
Penn State was a 3-5 team when they faced No. 2 Indiana, and the Nittany Lions certainly played up to Indiana's standards, as has every single team the Hoosiers have faced, and it won't get any easier. With a bye week still on its schedule, Indiana still has to face Wisconsin and Purdue, teams that should be easily beatable, but the Hoosiers still need to be wary of.
"I think we need to understand that we are going to get everyone's best shot," Cignetti said. "We are not sneaking up on anyone anymore."
Cignetti is right back to his normal self of keeping things plain and simple, knowing that this is how the season is going to be, and probably even years to come after this. Iowa and Penn State both gave the Hoosiers a run for their money, and even though Wisconsin and Purdue are two teams Indiana can easily beat, they are still going to give it all they have to get a big upset win.
Cignetti is right in the fact that Indiana isn't sneaking up on anyone anymore. They have earned the respect from other teams, but have also earned that big target on their back.