Indiana coach Curt Cignetti praises Big Ten while targeting SEC influence
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 7:26 PM
Last updated Jul 30, 2026
During the Big Ten Conference football media days in Chicago on July 30, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti emphasized the strength of the Big Ten and downplayed the SEC's dominance. Cignetti stated, "The Big Ten is the best league in football" and criticized the SEC's perceived hype. He highlighted Indiana's competitiveness despite losing key players to the NFL and mentioned his team's focus on fundamentals as critical to their success. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti also noted the conference's recent achievements in the College Football Playoff, further supporting Cignetti's claims. Indiana heads into the season aiming for continued success despite roster changes.
- •Curt Cignetti speaks at Big Ten football media days on July 30.
- •Cignetti asserts the Big Ten's superiority over the SEC.
- •Indiana's recent success includes a strong playoff performance.
- •The Big Ten has dominated playoff wins in recent seasons.
- •Cignetti expects his Indiana team to maintain a competitive edge.
- 7:26 PMYahoo Sports — Curt Cignetti says ‘Big Ten is the best league in football’ and unloads on SEC
- 7:21 PMYahoo Sports — Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti rips SEC ‘hype machine’
- 6:43 PMYahoo Sports — Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti doesn't say SEC to put SEC in its place
"College football has the unlikeliest of reigning champions in the Indiana Hoosiers. Head coach Curt Cignetti needed just two seasons in Bloomington, Indiana (and one Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback) to find himself at the pinnacle of the sport. The Hoosiers’ national title was a part of a larger trend that has seen the Big Ten take…
"Flanked by college football's last three national title trophies, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti seemed to target the SEC "hype machine."
"Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti took a shot at the SEC on Thursday.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 7:26 PMCurt Cignetti says ‘Big Ten is the best league in football’ and unloads on SEC
College football has the unlikeliest of reigning champions in the Indiana Hoosiers. Head coach Curt Cignetti needed just two seasons in Bloomington, Indiana (and one Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback) to find himself at the pinnacle of the sport. The Hoosiers’ national title was a part of a larger trend that has seen the Big Ten take…
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 7:21 PMIndiana football coach Curt Cignetti rips SEC ‘hype machine’
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti took a shot at the SEC on Thursday.
- Yahoo SportsJul 30, 2026, 6:43 PMIndiana football coach Curt Cignetti doesn't say SEC to put SEC in its place
Flanked by college football's last three national title trophies, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti seemed to target the SEC "hype machine."
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