7 days ago
Purdue coach Barry Odom took shot at Indiana football schedule. Curt Cignetti responds
LAS VEGAS — Indiana coach Curt Cignetti expected criticism of his program's scheduling approach from the entitled fanbase in the SEC.
Last week the fire came from closer to home. Purdue coach Barry Odom took a passing shot at the Hoosiers' preference for low-level nonconference opponents.
Cignetti said he saw Odom's comments, made last week on an Indianapolis radio show. Odom said teams owe it to fans to play schedules full of compelling games. Purdue plays Notre Dame annually in addition to its nine Big Ten games.
In the wake of news that IU had canceled future series with Virginia, Odom also took a swipe at his team's biggest rival.
"I could take the approach of one of the other schools in the state, cancel games and do some of those things, but the schedule is what it is," Odom said.
Tuesday at Big Ten media days, Cignetti was asked if he was surprised by Odom's comment.
Fire away: Purdue football coach Barry Odom takes shot at Indiana's schedule
"I like Barry Odom," Cignetti said, later winking. "Taking a shot at our schedule — did I think about it much? Not really, but that would be an overstatement.
"... Not that I didn't think much of it (as in) he shouldn't have done that. I saw it. It was a flicker in my brain, and then it was over."
Beyond this season. Purdue plays both Wake Forest and Notre Dame in both 2026 and 2028, North Carolina and the Fighting Irish in 2027, Vanderbilt in 2029 and TCU in 2030. Indiana currently has no power conference non-Big Ten games scheduled until a 2030 game against Notre Dame.
Despite an uninspiring nonconference schedule, the Hoosiers were prepared enough to beat Purdue 66-0 in last season's Old Oaken Bucket game. After that game, Purdue fired Ryan Walters and hired Odom.
Until that gap closes, Purdue coaches will have more concern about playing IU than who the Hoosiers play in the other 11 games.
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