Curt Cignetti Highlights ‘Great Divide’ in College Football Media

In the realm of college football, perceptions often shape narratives. Indiana, coming off a commendable 11-2 record last season and a successful playoff debut under coach Curt Cignetti, faces skepticism as it heads into the 2025 season. Despite returning a majority of its roster, media sentiment has been tepid.

Curt Cignetti on Indiana’s Narrative Shift

During a recent appearance on The Joel Klatt Show, Cignetti addressed the cautious outlook surrounding the Hoosiers. He acknowledged that his team was viewed as a “media darling” until the College Football Playoff rankings emerged late in the previous season. “Last year, we were kind of like the media darling until the playoff rankings started to come out around Week 9 or 10,” Cignetti noted. However, the narrative took a sharp turn as doubts about the team’s performance began to surface.

From Cinderella to Skepticism

Indiana’s remarkable 10-0 start positioned the team as a surprising contender. Yet, its subsequent matches revealed cracks in the façade. Losses to Ohio State (38-15) and Notre Dame (27-17) in the playoffs turned sentiments from admiration to criticism. Many questioned the strength of Indiana’s schedule and the quality of victories leading up to the playoffs.

The Shift in Media Dynamics

According to Cignetti, the college football landscape is becoming increasingly divided along conference lines, making media coverage less neutral. He pointed out that the media ecology is influenced by TV deals closely linked to specific leagues, which leads to a lack of balanced reporting. “There’s definitely a great divide,” he remarked, examining how coverage favors established programs.

• College athletics and football dynamics have changed significantly over the last 15 years.
• Media coverage is often tribal, aligning with specific schools and conferences.
• TV networks play a crucial role in shaping perceptions around different programs.

Challenges Ahead for Indiana

As Indiana approaches the new season, Cignetti emphasizes the need to focus on the fundamentals of coaching and program development. Despite the cautious media outlook, he remains optimistic about building on the previous year’s accomplishments. “I think a lot of people were maybe a little down on us going into the year because of the way we played against Ohio State and Notre Dame,” he explained.

In summary, Indiana’s journey under Cignetti encapsulates the challenges of overcoming skepticism in a fractured media landscape. The future success of the Hoosiers may not rest solely on their win-loss record, but on how well they navigate these complex dynamics in college football.