Tony Thomas
Writer
The No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers, under Curt Cignetti, have achieved winning football on the gridiron the last two seasons. The Hoosiers have posted a 24-2 record under Cignetti and won a Big Ten Conference title this season, their first since the 1967 season.
This season, the undefeated Hoosiers (13-0) were ranked in the top ten in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 Poll by the end of September and have remained there ever since.
Cignetti has restored a winning football mindset in the psyche of his players and of the fans in Bloomington. As a result, the Hoosiers fielded a potent offense that has scored 41 points per game.
Indiana defeated three top ten opponents (#9 Illinois, #3 Oregon and #1 Ohio State) this season that finished with a combined record of 31-6.
A dominant defense that has allowed a paltry 10 points per contest could win Indiana a national title.
In eight games this season, the Hoosiers held their opponents to 10 points or less. In addition, Indiana allowed just 100+ yards rushing against them only twice.
The Indiana’s defense, under coordinator Bryant Haines, is ranked in the top ten in several categories:
Standout players on this dominant defense include five players that earned All-Big Ten and All-American honors:
The Hoosiers posted four games of double-digit tackles for loss and four games of five or more sacks. In addition, Indiana intercepted at least one pass in 11 of 13 games, and five games with multiple interceptions. Also, only two opponents managed to convert on 3rd down 40 percent or more of the time.
Add all that up, and either the Oklahoma Sooners or the Alabama Crimson Tide will have the unenviable task of facing arguably the best defense in college football. A unit that is championship-caliber and could lead the Hoosiers to a national championship. That would be a fitting end to their already historic season.
The newly introduced transfer portal schedule is officially open for all college football athletes. The two-week period will run from January 2 to January 16. Ryan Day and his staff are no strangers to the portal, having brought in a total of 11 transfers during the off-season. With players set to depart from Ohio State […]
Cody Croy
Writer
The Buckeyes are wasting no time following the loss to Miami. The off-season has begun, and former LSU and Georgia assistant Cortez Hankton is set to step into a role with Ohio State as the wide receivers coach. Hankton will replace Brian Hartline, who left the team to become the next head coach at USF. […]
Tony Thomas
Writer
The victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl marked the greatest victory in the 138 years of Indiana football.
