With the start of the new college football season right around the corner, USA Today revealed its first Top-25 coaches poll of the preseason last week. The Indiana Hoosiers, coming off a perfect 16-0 season and National Championship, were not even featured in the Top-5. Instead, the Hoosiers claimed the No. 6 spot.
After going 27-2 with back-to-back appearances in the College Football Playoff and winning a national title last season, it was pretty surprising to see the Hoosiers not included in the Top-5. With Cignetti leading the way and another roster loaded with talent, the argument can be made that Indiana should have been No. 1.
Now, one prominent media member has the guts to say what few others have said in regard to Indiana's preseason ranking.
Danny Kanell gives ultimate praise to Curt Cignetti and Indiana
When appearing on CBS Sports' Cover 3 Takeover, college football analyst Danny Kanell said what few media members have said this offseason: Indiana should be the No. 1 team in the country heading into the 2026 campaign.
"Why aren't we going with Indiana? I mean Curt Cignetti's only lost two games in two years. He retains his entire staff. And I know he's bringing in another new quarterback but he did it with Kurtis Rourke, and he did it with Fernando Mendoza. He's gonna put Josh Hoover in a good position to succeed. He's got yet again another Top-10 portal class. The guy is the best coach in all of college football. I think they've earned the spot."Danny Kanell
Check out Kanell's full comments below:
.@dannykanell makes the case for Indiana as the No. 1 team in the country. pic.twitter.com/xNJm3jErpl
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 12, 2026
It's hard to argue Kanell's point. What Cignetti has done in Bloomington is nothing short of remarkable, and coud even be considered the greatest turnaround in sports history. Cignetti has turned the Hoosiers from an afterthought to a national powerhouse in record time, and the momentum doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Indiana should easily keep this defending champs streak alive in 2026
As Kanell points out, Cignetti brings back his entire staff from last season. That kind of coaching continuity is becoming increasingly rare these days, and can prove to be extremely valuable.
Indiana lost plenty of production to the NFL Draft, but Cignetti brought in one of the best portal classes in the country. The Hoosiers also have several impact returning players on both sides of the ball including WR Charlie Becker, RB Khobie Martin, OL Carter Smith, LB Rolijah Hardy, LB Isaiah Jones, and DL Tyrique Tucker, among others.
The USA Today coaches poll are unofficial rankings. They ultimately don't matter when it comes down to official rankings for the new season. But with that being said, Indiana fans appreciate Kanell giving Cignetti and Indiana their props and pointing out how absurd it is to have the Hoosiers at No. 6. It's about time someone pointed out that the Hoosiers haven't given a reason to not be ranked No. 1 heading into the 2026 season.
Indiana eyeing AP Preseason Poll history
Indiana has never received a top-10 ranking in the preseason AP Poll, meaning that more history could be on the way for the Hoosiers under Cignetti's leadership.
The first AP Top-25 Poll of the new season is slated to be released later this month. When it is, Indiana should be near the top. A No. 1 ranking would make sense, but securing a Top-10 spot seems like a lock.
Regardless of where the Hoosiers fall in these preseason rankings, it ultimately doesn't matter. The real work comes on the field when the season begins on Saturday, September 5 against North Texas. Cignetti gives IU plenty of staying power, and Hoosier fans have every reason to be fired up for the new season.
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