Curt Cignetti has wasted little time giving the Indiana football program a new identity. A 16-0 National Championship season put Indiana on a collision course with some of college football's most storied programs.
Curt Cignetti's domination of Purdue has Indiana fans smiling from ear to ear
Indiana's rapid rise has carried extra significance on the national stage, and has ushered in new rivalries with traditional blue blood programs. Here are the three biggest rivalry matchups that have shaped the Cignetti era so far.
Oregon Ducks
In the Dan Lanning era in Eugene, the Oregon Ducks have cemented themselves as one of the premier programs in all of college football. Lanning is 48-8 over his four seasons at Oregon, but hasn't been able to get over the hump and win a national title. Cignetti and the Hoosiers went through Oregon twice en route to their national title last season, something that undoubtedly doesn't sit well with Lanning and the Ducks.
On October 11, Indiana went on the road to Autzen Stadium and defeated 3rd-ranked Oregon by a score of 30-20. Finding the win column at Autzen Stadium as a visitor is never easy, and Cignetti did it in his first attempt. The win raised eyebrows across the country, and forced the nation to view Indiana as legitimate National Championship contenders.
The Hoosiers and Ducks met again in the College Football Playoff Semifinals, and Indiana rolled to a 56-22 victory. D'Angelo Ponds set the tone with a pick-6 on the first play from scrimmage, and the rest was history. In a short amount of time, these teams have developed a strong disdain for one another.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Once on top of the college football universe, it's clear that the Alabama football program is still searching for its identity in the post-Nick Saban era. Look no further than last year's Rose Bowl.
Indiana orchestrated a dominating performance against Alabama in Pasadena. The Hoosiers won 38-3 and never really gave the Tide a chance. Indiana held Alabama to just 193 yards of total offense and a measly 23 rushing yards. Along with advancing Indiana to the CFP semifinals, the win signaled how the Hoosiers continue to reach new heights and take the college football world by storm under Cignetti.
Now, Cignetti is also beating out Alabama for 5-star recruits. Last week, 5-star WR Monshun Sales committed to Indiana over Alabama. Sales plays high school football in Indianapolis, but he has strong family ties to the state of Alabama and grew up rooting for the Crimson Tide. He also had the nickname of "Bama" growing up. With Indiana defeating Alabama both on the field and in the recruiting trail, it's fair to say the rivalry between the Hoosiers and Crimson Tide is alive and well.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Cignetti's only Big Ten loss during his time at Indiana came against Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Buckeyes hosted the Hoosiers back in 2024 and cruised to a 38-15 win. Buckeye QB Kyle Howard famously taunted Cignetti and the Hoosiers by mimmicking putting out a cigarette on the sideline in the closing minutes. The Buckeyes would then go on to win the National Championship.
Cignetti got his revenge in the Big Ten Championship Game last December, as Indiana beat Ohio State 13-10 in Indianapolis. IU would then go on to win the national title. Those two contests have formed a contentious rivalry between the Big Ten programs. Looking ahead, more fireworks are in store.
The Buckeyes will make a trip to Bloomington on October 17 in a matchup that has true Game of the Year potential. The Hoosiers are looking to maintain their dominance at the top of the college football world, while the Buckeyes are looking for revenge and to make a statement on the road. Get your popcorn ready for that one.
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