Curt Cignetti isn’t entertaining talk of rankings, playoff pictures or national expectations. The second-year Indiana coach has made it clear that all of that is meaningless until his team proves itself where it matters most — on the field. That message has been repeated throughout the buildup to Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff against Old Dominion, […]
Curt Cignetti isn’t entertaining talk of rankings, playoff pictures or national expectations. The second-year Indiana coach has made it clear that all of that is meaningless until his team proves itself where it matters most — on the field.
That message has been repeated throughout the buildup to Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. kickoff against Old Dominion, a program Cignetti refuses to let anyone underestimate.
“This game is going to be hard,” Cignetti said Monday. “I expect a very tough challenge from Old Dominion, and we’re going to have to play really well from the first play to the last play.”
Cignetti’s caution doesn’t come from paranoia, but from experience. A veteran of the Sun Belt Conference, he understands how often its members rise up and stun programs with bigger budgets and higher profiles.
His own success at James Madison helped push the league into the national spotlight, and he hasn’t forgotten how dangerous its teams can be.
“I really respect Old Dominion,” Cignetti said. “We’ve talked about the history of the Sun Belt teams, current members of the Sun Belt, and the blue bloods that they have defeated.”
SEE ALSO: Early Look: Breaking down Indiana’s Week 1 matchup with Old Dominion
The Monarchs came close to another such upset last season. On the road at South Carolina, they held a fourth-quarter lead before two back-breaking turnovers inside their own 10-yard line sealed their fate in a 23-19 loss.
Since 2022, Old Dominion has taken on six Power Four opponents, beaten Virginia Tech once and dropped three other games by less than a touchdown. Their average margin of defeat in those contests is only 7.5 points.
“All but one of Old Dominion’s losses last year were by one score or less,” Cignetti added. “They’ve beaten Virginia Tech twice in recent history, so we’ve got to be ready to go.”
That history has shaped Indiana’s mindset during a long fall camp. The Hoosiers are finally turning their attention to game preparation, and their coach has demanded urgency.
“The core methods are about the same. It’s just the sense of urgency during game week is so much different,” Cignetti said. “They’re all excited to play, and now we’ve got to put the proper preparation in.”
ON3+: Inside The Numbers: Old Dominion
Old Dominion will bring a proven quarterback in Colton Joseph, considered one of the league’s more dynamic dual threats, along with All-American linebacker Jason Henderson leading its defense. The matchup may not draw national headlines, but Cignetti has framed it as a test Indiana cannot afford to take lightly.
His approach is deliberate: no shortcuts, no assumptions and no letting up. The time for camp talk is over, and the season is here.
“Now it’s time to go to war,” Cignetti said. “It’s serious business now.”
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Category: General Sports
