Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti is known for his strong opinions and his confidence was on display once again during a press conference after the Hoosiers faced a tough loss against second-ranked Ohio State, concluding with a score of 38-15. Despite this setback, Cignetti remained upbeat when asked if his team still had a chance at making the College Football Playoff (CFP).
With a light-hearted smile, he dismissed the question, saying, “Is that a serious question? I’m not even going to answer that, the answer is so obvious,” before giving a playful wink that implied a positive outlook. The Hoosiers came into the game ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff standings and were predicted to have a 96.1% chance of securing a playoff spot based on ESPN’s College Football Power Index.
Looking ahead, Indiana is set to finish the regular season against Purdue at home in Week 14. Analytics predict a 97.7% chance of victory, which would mark the Hoosiers’ 11th win of the season, a record for the program. Fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating Tuesday evening’s CFP rankings release on ESPN, which will provide further insight into their playoff aspirations.
This optimism from Cignetti and the team’s strong performance throughout the season underscore the potential for Indiana football to achieve its goals, despite the recent loss. With the right mindset and a successful finish against Purdue, the Hoosiers could still make a significant mark on the postseason.
In summary, despite a challenging defeat against Ohio State, Coach Cignetti’s confidence and the Hoosiers’ strong season could still pave the way for a playoff berth, making the upcoming game against Purdue a critical moment in the Indiana football story.