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Washington Post
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Big Ten notebook: Hoosiers ready to prove they're no one-hit wonder
LAS VEGAS — After a surprising 10-0 start, a program-record 11 wins and a trip to the College Football Playoff, some believe Indiana is destined to take a step backward in 2025. Coach Curt Cignetti and his team, however, didn't get the memo. 'We're not looking to sustain it, we're looking to improve it,' Cignetti said Tuesday at Big Ten football media days. 'And the way you do that is by having the right people on the bus, upstairs in the coaches' offices, downstairs in the locker room.'
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Big Ten notebook: Hoosiers ready to prove they're no one-hit wonder
LAS VEGAS (AP) — After a surprising 10-0 start, a program-record 11 wins and a trip to the College Football Playoff, some believe Indiana is destined to take a step backward in 2025. Coach Curt Cignetti and his team, however, didn't get the memo. 'We're not looking to sustain it, we're looking to improve it,' Cignetti said Tuesday at Big Ten football media days. 'And the way you do that is by having the right people on the bus, upstairs in the coaches' offices, downstairs in the locker room.' And with that, he said, is a standard he set long ago at James Madison, one that includes a crystal clear blueprint with expectations of never accepting anything less than what's been previously accomplished. 'Consistency day in, day out,' Cignetti added. 'Consistency is huge so that we can play fast, physical, relentless, smart, disciplined, poised, not affected by success, not affected by failure, and never ever satisfied until the game is over.' Nonetheless, the Hoosiers' road back to the playoffs is no easy chore, as their conference slate includes trips to Oregon and Penn State — two College Football Playoff teams they didn't face last year. The Big Ten media poll projected a sixth-place finish for the Hoosiers, indicating they may have been a one-hit wonder. 'I know that's the buzzword — fluke — but I think at the end of the day, we've always overcome whatever expectations people have of us,' said returning all-Big Ten defensive end Mikail Kamara, who followed Cignetti from James Madison. 'So, I feel the way that Cig runs the ship and has a standard, I feel like everyone's kind of bought into it. 'The only goal that we have is to win a championship. I think last year was fun; we wanted to win games, and it was completely all new to us. But now, it's like, we've cemented ourselves in the Big Ten and we're going to go take it over and win.' Why Vegas? Normally, the Big Ten holds its media days inside Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, and the three-day event certainly could have carried momentum over from the WNBA's All-Star weekend. But the venue was booked for the week. So, rather than return to another old home, Chicago, the 18-team conference chose Las Vegas, a city where it does not have an actual team but that is closer to some of its newer programs — USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington. 'I think, obviously, we are a conference that goes coast to coast, so having some presence closer to our West Coast members is not a bad thing," commissioner Tony Petitti said. "It started with logistics, to be really candid.' Look good, feel good, play good Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola made the rounds, donning a customized suit that reeked of success while embracing a Las Vegas vibe. Wearing a crisp black suit with red piping and playing cards stitched on the inside to match his red-bottom Christian Louboutin shoes, the second-year signal caller said the Cornhuskers, picked to finish eighth by media members, are loaded with confidence heading into camp. Nebraska started 5-1 last year, before finishing 2-5. One fun fact: Huskers coach Matt Rhule's teams at Baylor and Temple each improved by four wins from his second to third seasons. 'It all stems from the work that's been put in, all the preparation that guys have had,' Raiola said. 'It's going to be an exciting season, guys are ready to go, and there's no stopping us getting to our goals. The consistency of believing in the program, believing in what we believe, and not losing sight of that. 'I think once guys understand that when something works, that you just keep sticking to it and you don't fade from it, you get a strong (result) at the end of the day.' Champaign buzz Illinois was supposed to be a sleeper, perhaps this year's version of Indiana. But with so much hype coming out of Champaign, and the preseason poll landing Illinois in fourth place, the Illini won't be sneaking up on anyone. 'I think (Illinois coach) Bret's (Bielema) built something the way that he wanted to build it,' Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. 'And he's got guys that fit his program, his culture, and now they have an experienced team, which when you're an experienced team, you're always dangerous.' Defensive back Xavier Scott pointed out the Illini's schedule, having to open the season with seven straight games before a bye, but he and his teammates are looking forward to the challenge. 'We're just excited to see what we got, we're just going to continue to do what we do and continue to grind to success,' Scott said. 'We want to make this an every-year type of thing where we're winning games, multiple games, and we're making more bowl games ... and even playoff runs. We're just trying to make that the culture of Illinois.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
Associated Press
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Big Ten notebook: Hoosiers ready to prove they're no one-hit wonder
LAS VEGAS (AP) — After a surprising 10-0 start, a program-record 11 wins and a trip to the College Football Playoff, some believe Indiana is destined to take a step backward in 2025. Coach Curt Cignetti and his team, however, didn't get the memo. 'We're not looking to sustain it, we're looking to improve it,' Cignetti said Tuesday at Big Ten football media days. 'And the way you do that is by having the right people on the bus, upstairs in the coaches' offices, downstairs in the locker room.' And with that, he said, is a standard he set long ago at James Madison, one that includes a crystal clear blueprint with expectations of never accepting anything less than what's been previously accomplished. 'Consistency day in, day out,' Cignetti added. 'Consistency is huge so that we can play fast, physical, relentless, smart, disciplined, poised, not affected by success, not affected by failure, and never ever satisfied until the game is over.' Nonetheless, the Hoosiers' road back to the playoffs is no easy chore, as their conference slate includes trips to Oregon and Penn State — two College Football Playoff teams they didn't face last year. The Big Ten media poll projected a sixth-place finish for the Hoosiers, indicating they may have been a one-hit wonder. 'I know that's the buzzword — fluke — but I think at the end of the day, we've always overcome whatever expectations people have of us,' said returning all-Big Ten defensive end Mikail Kamara, who followed Cignetti from James Madison. 'So, I feel the way that Cig runs the ship and has a standard, I feel like everyone's kind of bought into it. 'The only goal that we have is to win a championship. I think last year was fun; we wanted to win games, and it was completely all new to us. But now, it's like, we've cemented ourselves in the Big Ten and we're going to go take it over and win.' Why Vegas? Normally, the Big Ten holds its media days inside Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, and the three-day event certainly could have carried momentum over from the WNBA's All-Star weekend. But the venue was booked for the week. So, rather than return to another old home, Chicago, the 18-team conference chose Las Vegas, a city where it does not have an actual team but that is closer to some of its newer programs — USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington. 'I think, obviously, we are a conference that goes coast to coast, so having some presence closer to our West Coast members is not a bad thing,' commissioner Tony Petitti said. 'It started with logistics, to be really candid.' Look good, feel good, play good Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola made the rounds, donning a customized suit that reeked of success while embracing a Las Vegas vibe. Wearing a crisp black suit with red piping and playing cards stitched on the inside to match his red-bottom Christian Louboutin shoes, the second-year signal caller said the Cornhuskers, picked to finish eighth by media members, are loaded with confidence heading into camp. Nebraska started 5-1 last year, before finishing 2-5. One fun fact: Huskers coach Matt Rhule's teams at Baylor and Temple each improved by four wins from his second to third seasons. 'It all stems from the work that's been put in, all the preparation that guys have had,' Raiola said. 'It's going to be an exciting season, guys are ready to go, and there's no stopping us getting to our goals. The consistency of believing in the program, believing in what we believe, and not losing sight of that. 'I think once guys understand that when something works, that you just keep sticking to it and you don't fade from it, you get a strong (result) at the end of the day.' Champaign buzz Illinois was supposed to be a sleeper, perhaps this year's version of Indiana. But with so much hype coming out of Champaign, and the preseason poll landing Illinois in fourth place, the Illini won't be sneaking up on anyone. 'I think (Illinois coach) Bret's (Bielema) built something the way that he wanted to build it,' Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said. 'And he's got guys that fit his program, his culture, and now they have an experienced team, which when you're an experienced team, you're always dangerous.' Defensive back Xavier Scott pointed out the Illini's schedule, having to open the season with seven straight games before a bye, but he and his teammates are looking forward to the challenge. 'We're just excited to see what we got, we're just going to continue to do what we do and continue to grind to success,' Scott said. 'We want to make this an every-year type of thing where we're winning games, multiple games, and we're making more bowl games ... and even playoff runs. We're just trying to make that the culture of Illinois.' ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Playoff team? Doesn't matter. Big Ten media poll still doubting Curt Cignetti's Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are coming off their best season in program history under first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, finishing 11-2 and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. Expectations remain high heading into 2025 — but not everyone is convinced they can do it again. Take Stephen Means, who compiled the outlet's annual Big Ten preseason media poll. Each voter ranked teams from 1 to 18, with first-place votes worth 18 points, second worth 17, and so on. Advertisement Despite last year's success, the Hoosiers landed at No. 6 in the poll — surprisingly behind both Michigan and Illinois. They earned 305 points and an average rank of 6.80. For a team coming off a Playoff appearance, that feels low. Michigan being ranked ahead of them? Fair enough. The Wolverines won a national title two years ago and just landed Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country. But Illinois jumping them? That one's harder to justify. Indiana's roster looks stronger than it did a year ago. Cignetti brought in Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza to replace Kurtis Rourke at quarterback and added Maryland running back Roman Hemby to pair with Kaelon Black in the backfield. Advertisement 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Up front, the offense got a boost with Notre Dame transfer and former four-star Pat Coogan stepping in at center. For a group that already looked explosive last season, this unit could take another step forward. Defensively, Indiana returns a stacked group headlined by pass rusher Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher, cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, safety Amare Ferrell, and Jamari Sharpe. All five could be early-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Yes, Illinois has a soft schedule — similar to what Indiana had last year — and returns one of the highest percentages of production in the Big Ten. But in today's college football world, where the transfer portal and NIL dominate roster building, that doesn't carry as much weight. Advertisement Illinois also lost their top two receivers in Pat Bryant and Zakari Franklin to the NFL and added just one marquee name in four-star defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. Meanwhile, Indiana returns most of its core — and could realistically field one of the best offenses in the country. Cignetti should have the edge early as Bielema and his team still have plenty to prove. Indiana has the talent, depth, and momentum to build off last year's breakthrough — and if the Hoosiers keep trending up, the rest of the Big Ten won't be able to ignore them much longer.
New York Times
17 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The Big Ten's defense of College Football Playoff auto bids should be enough to bury that plan
Good for Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti — going beyond a friendly podcast, proclaiming his support for a rigged College Football Playoff expansion at his league's media days and unwittingly helping to explain why it's such a terrible idea. Petitti was so careful, so deft with his spin Tuesday. Stick to the talking points. Take it out of the selection committee's hands. Results on the field should matter more. Let's 'better connect the regular season and the postseason.' Never actually address why the SEC and Big Ten should get four automatic bids while the ACC and Big 12 each get half of that. Advertisement Problem is, at some point you have to get into the specifics of the accompanying 'play-in weekend,' and last season tells us exactly why it's so ill-conceived. The Big Ten had four Playoff teams in 2024, and all were deserving. That won't always be the case, which is part of why this plan appeals to the Big Ten — while the SEC has thankfully realized five auto bids for league champs and 11 at-large selections would serve it better over time. Petitti's 16-team plan, if activated last season, would have forced two of those four teams to win another game to guarantee spots in the Playoff. Eventual national champion Ohio State, the No. 4 seed, would have played No. 5 seed Illinois. No. 3 seed Indiana, the surprise story of the entire season, would have drawn No. 6 seed Iowa. That's 8-4 Iowa, 6-3 in the Big Ten, with a nonleague loss to rival Iowa State, with a 12-point loss to a bad Michigan State team, with a loss to a bad UCLA team, with a 28-point defeat at the hands of the Buckeyes, with a 13-10 win over 7-6 Nebraska as the prevailing achievement of the entire season. That Iowa team. Needing one win against the upstart Hoosiers to make the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately for Petitti, he had an exchange with a reporter in Las Vegas — Big Ten country! — in which he had to answer for that cringe-worthy scenario. Unfortunately for anyone who actually likes his plan, he could only say this: 'If you're 6-3 in the Big Ten, I would argue that's a great record, and if you stumbled in a nonconference game, I don't know why that disqualifies you.' He then went on to talk about how 8-4 as a winning percentage in most professional leagues gets you into the postseason and blah, blah, blah, but the damage was done. How could anyone listening to that, and considering what cringe-worthy scenarios may lie ahead if the Big Ten gets its way, have any interest in the '4-4-2-2-1' plan? Advertisement It rewards status over achievement. It should offend anyone who actually believes in competition. And in a given year, it could give us a sub-mediocre Big Ten team in the field as opposed to … pick your team from the ACC or Big 12. I can see Clemson, Miami, Florida State, SMU and let's say Bill Belichick's North Carolina all being good in the same season. You? How about Arizona State, BYU, Iowa State and big-spendin' Texas Tech all at once? Throw in a good Notre Dame season and the expected haul from the SEC. That leaves two at-large bids after four from the Big Ten, four from the SEC, two from the ACC, two from the Big 12, a Group of 5 team and Notre Dame join the field. That means serious quality from both the ACC and Big 12 likely watching from home. But hey, Iowa upset Indiana so … shrug? Imagine the fallout if an excess of auto bids forced a Playoff field to shake out that way, as opposed to the imperfect-yet-far-superior way of letting 13 human beings study data, watch teams, speak with each other and apply common sense to their selections. They will always be scrutinized and criticized — it's a ton of fun each Tuesday night in the fall — but I bet they wouldn't put 8-4 Iowa in over 10-2 BYU. Oh, and imagine the impact on nonleague scheduling/nonleague participation, once coaches realize the standings in their ridiculously oversized leagues are all that matters. The good news here is that the SEC is publicly opposed to Petitti's plan, so the worst-case scenario is a stalemate resulting in a continuation of the 12-team Playoff from 2026 to 2032. And that doesn't sound like a bad scenario at all. So thank you, Tony Petitti. If anyone was on the fence about '4-4-2-2-1,' you've made it clear why they should jump right off and run toward common sense. Credit's due for being willing to show up in front of a bunch of reporters and try to spin it into existence. The best move now is to return to Joel Klatt's podcast and gently take it all back. (Photo of Tony Petitti: Lucas Peltier / Imagn Images)
