Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has demonstrated a strong sense of confidence since taking the helm, a trait evident from his introductory press conference where he famously stated, “Google me.” Following a challenging 38-15 loss to the second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, Cignetti remained upbeat during the post-game media session held at Ohio Stadium.
Despite the defeat, which marked the first setback of the season for the fifth-ranked Hoosiers, Cignetti was posed with a question about the team’s potential College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes. With a bemused expression, he responded, “Is that a serious question?” before affirmatively signaling “yes,” emphasizing his belief that the Hoosiers still have a chance for postseason play.
Entering the game, Indiana was ranked No. 5 in the CFP top 25 and projected to secure a No. 7 seed in the upcoming 12-team playoff format, boasting a 96.1% likelihood of making the playoff, according to ESPN’s College Football Power Index. As they look ahead, Indiana will close its regular season against rival Purdue in Week 14, where they hold a 97.7% chance of victory, which would mark an unprecedented 11 wins in a single season for the program.
The anticipation builds as the Hoosiers await the release of the fourth set of CFP rankings, scheduled for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, where they will learn their standing and potential path to the playoffs.
This season has been a remarkable journey for Cignetti and the Hoosiers, who have risen to prominence in college football. Their resilience in light of setbacks is a testament to the program’s growth and ambition. With the regular season finale on the horizon, Indiana fans have much to look forward to as the team aims for a historic finish and a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.