Curt Cignetti has the Indiana Hoosiers on the verge of the greatest season in Indiana history, and possibly all-time. Indiana is 14-0, champions of the Big 10 for the first time since 1967, and is coming off a 35-3 thrashing against Alabama in the Rose Bowl. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who transferred in from Cal, won the first ever heisman in Indiana’s history. Now, Indiana is just one game away from making the national championship and making history.
The Hoosiers were 3-24 in Big Ten play from 2021-23.
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They are now No. 1 in the country and a win away from playing for the national title.
The Curt Cignetti Effect 📈 pic.twitter.com/BLaa3cwcOG
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 7, 2026
Indiana has shown hardly any signs of struggle all season. The Hoosiers have won by double-digits in 11 out of their 14 games this season and average 44.3 points per game this season, which is second in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, Indiana only allows 10.9 points per game, the second lowest in FBS as well as 79.3 rushing yards per game, the third lowest.
Indiana has done all this despite the talent gap. Indiana doesn’t have a single five-star recruit on the team, and instead has prioritized execution over talent.
Indiana will be facing off against Oregon, a team the Hoosiers previously beat 30-20 back on October 11th. The game was tied 20-20 in the fourth quarter and Indiana would finish strong. Elijah Sarratt would score a touchdown on third and long while the defense picked off Oregon’s Dante Moore twice to seal the upset.
Oregon has bounced back from the loss. The Ducks, led by Dan Lanning, have won eight straight games since the loss including a 23-0 shutout against Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl. Lanning had questionable decisions in the game, including the team going 4-8 on fourth downs. Regardless, the Ducks got the job done and are ready for revenge against the Hoosiers.
No matter what Oregon throws at Indiana, Cignetti will be ready.
