Curt Cignetti Isn't Happy With Indiana's College Football Playoff Schedule

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Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti might be in favor of the College Football Playoff changing its format.

The Hoosiers have been a treat to watch this season, owning a 13-0 record in large part because of star quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winner already has 2,980 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns on the year.

Unfortunately, it's already been three weeks since Indiana took the field for the Big Ten Championship against Ohio State. While there's no guarantee that Cignetti's squad will be rusty for its showdown with Alabama on New Year's Day, he admit he's not loving the extended break.

“Well, you know, it is what it is, so you make the most of it,” said Cignetti. “The way we approached it until we knew the opponent? We treated it like two bye weeks, and now we have almost two weeks to prepare for the opponent.”

History isn't on Indiana's side.

Last season, all four teams that earned a first-round bye for the CFP lost in the quarterfinals. No. 6 Penn State defeated No. 3 Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl, No. 7 Notre Dame upset No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, No. 5 Texas took down No. 4 Arizona State in double overtime of the Peach Bowl, and No. 8 Ohio State dismantled No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl.

Although the Hoosiers will be favored to defeat the Crimson Tide, there are plenty of analysts who believe an upset is brewing.

"Look, I have a lot of respect for the Hoosiers. I have a lot of respect for Fernando Mendoza and what Coach Cignetti has done out there," ESPN's Louis Riddick said, via On3. "But look, Alabama is showing you, as they continue to get healthy and as Ty Simpson really settles in, this is a football team that can make explosive plays down the field. … This team has a tremendous tradition. This isn’t a series, this is a one-off. All you have to do is win one game. Survive and advance. I, without a doubt, feel as though they can pull off the upset."

For what it's worth, ESPN's computer model gives Indiana a 71.4% chance of defeating Alabama.

Kickoff for the Rose Bowl is at 4 p.m. ET on Jan. 1.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 27, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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