Confidence and Reality: A Tale of Two Schedules

Curt Cignetti, the coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, has never been one to shy away from speaking his mind. At Big Ten Media Days in Chicago, he confidently mocked the SEC’s ‘hype machine,’ stating that the Big Ten’s success is earned, not manufactured. Cignetti has indeed earned the right to boast about his program’s achievements, with 27 wins in two seasons, a Big Ten title, and a national championship under his belt.

However, when it comes to scheduling, Cignetti’s confidence seems to waver. The Hoosiers’ non-conference schedule for the years 2025-2029 is filled with Group of Six and FCS opponents, with no Power Four teams outside of the Big Ten on the horizon. This is particularly striking given that Cignetti has had a hand in shaping most of the Hoosiers’ non-conference opponents since taking over the program.

The Hoosiers were originally set to face Virginia in 2027 and 2028, but the school canceled that home-and-home series in July 2025, paying a $500,000 buyout and replacing the Cavaliers with Kennesaw State and FCS member Austin Peay. Additionally, Indiana canceled the final two games of a three-game series with Louisville, scheduled for 2024 and 2025, before Cignetti’s arrival.

Indiana’s non-conference schedule for the years 2025-2029 is as follows:

• FIU, Western Illinois (FCS), Charlotte
• Old Dominion, Kennesaw State, Indiana State (FCS)
• North Texas, Howard (FCS), Western Kentucky
• Kennesaw State, Indiana State (FCS), UMass
• Austin Peay (FCS), Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio)
• Ball State, Eastern Illinois (FCS), Western Kentucky

While Indiana does have a marquee series on the future schedule, it won’t be until 2030 and 2031 against Notre Dame. This series was finalized in 2021, when Cignetti was still coaching James Madison at the FCS level.

The Big Ten has no mandate requiring its members to schedule a Power Four opponent outside of the conference, unlike the SEC, which still requires its programs to do so. This lack of scheduling requirements has led to some criticism of Cignetti’s approach, with some arguing that it doesn’t match his swagger as a coach.

At the time, Cignetti’s comments about adopting the SEC’s scheduling philosophy seemed reasonable, but it hasn’t aged well. Now, with the SEC playing a nine-game conference schedule, it’s clear that Indiana’s non-conference schedule is lacking in terms of competition.

The Frustration of a Cupcake Schedule

The Hoosiers should remain a championship contender for years to come, yet they won’t face a meaningful test until they’re already a quarter of the way through the regular season. No disrespect to those teams, but watching Indiana hang 70 on Howard or UMass isn’t good TV. The frustration lies in the fact that the Hoosiers have the roster, resources, and résumé to measure themselves against anyone, but their scheduling philosophy hasn’t matched their swagger.

Cignetti has been clear about his reasoning, pointing to the SEC’s scheduling philosophy as a justification for Indiana’s approach. However, with the SEC now playing a nine-game conference schedule and still requiring its programs to schedule a Power Four opponent outside of the conference, it’s clear that Indiana’s non-conference schedule is lacking.

At some point, being an alpha isn’t just about what you say or how you coach. It’s also about who you’re willing to play. Cignetti has the talent and resources to take on the best, but his scheduling philosophy seems to be holding him back.