Nor should it, by the way.Indiana is the defending national champs.
Cignetti has earned the right to be cocky.He's earned the right to pick fights with the SEC, and any other conference he chooses.BUT, it will come to a halt at some point, and fans of a certain conference are already foaming at the mouth.For those who missed it, Cignetti took a nasty little shot at the SEC on Thursday, calling out some unnamed teams — unofficially, of course — for making excuses.INDIANA'S CURT CIGNETTI ROASTS THE SEC AS ESPN STARTS THEIR PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN ALREADY: 'WE DON'T WHINE'Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti looks on before the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec.
6, 2025.(Robert Goddin/Imagn Images)"I mean we don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest," Cignetti said.
"We believe everything’s earned, not given.And when we fall short, we say, ‘We fell short.’ We don’t cry a river, whine and complain.
All right? And that’s why we’re the best."Take a look:Lordy.Just a vicious shot at the SEC.
Again, Cignetti has earned the right to make it.The Hoosiers were dominant last year.
But ...Let's not get crazy.All these things tend to come out in the wash, and Indiana's schedule this upcoming season ain't exactly murderer's row.SEC fans, of course, were QUICK to point that out yesterday:I could go on and on.
It's a war zone over on Elon's app formerly known as Twitter.Just a war zone.
Which is great, because that means college football is almost back.Less than 30 days, folks.Hang tight for just a bit longer!Look, I'm an SEC guy.
I'm biased.I'll happily admit that.
OutKick's Ian Miller is not an SEC guy.He hates us.
I get it.Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti speaks during media day ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship game between the Miami Hurricanes and Indiana.The game will be played Monday, Jan.
19, 2026, in Miami, Florida, on Jan.17, 2026.
(AP Photo/Chris Carls...