Indiana appears to be for real after upsetting Oregon and could have the easiest road to the College Football Playoff of all the Top 25 teams.
Curt Cignetti record vs. top 25 teams: How Indiana coach earned signature win in upset vs. Oregon originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
This is not your grandmother's team, folks. Entering Saturday's game on the road against Oregon, Indiana was 9.5-point underdogs and won 30-20.
Oregon's 18-game home win streak was snapped by Indiana on Saturday in what was by far the biggest win in Indiana school history. It marked the first-ever top-five road win for the Hoosiers, who prior to head coach Curt Cignetti's arrival had just one win over a top-five opponent.
Let's take a look at how Indiana got it done on the road, and what's left for the Hoosiers this season.
Indiana's defense comes up big
For most of this season, the story surrounding the Hoosiers was their high-powered offense, led by quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers entered ranked No. 4 overall in scoring offense, averaging 47.8 points per game. But the story of the day on Saturday was actually Indiana's defense.
The Hoosiers picked off potential Heisman candidate Dante Moore twice, and held Oregon to just 64 yards in the second half entirely.
Oregon finished with just 81 total yards rushing on the day.
MORE:Drew Allar injury update: Latest news on Penn State QB after being carted off field vs. Northwestern
Curt Cignetti vs. Top 25 teams
After Saturday's victory over the Ducks, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti is now 2-2 vs. Top 25 teams with the Hoosiers. Indiana steamrolled No. 9 Illinois earlier this season, 63-10. Last season, the Hoosiers lost to both ranked opponents they faced, in No. 1 Ohio State and No. 2 Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
The craziest stat of the day? Entering Saturday's game, Indiana was 1-72 all-time against Top-Five opponents.
Indiana remaining schedule
The Hoosiers should be favored in each of its next remaining games on the schedule. As things stand currently, Indiana does not play another ranked opponent this season. Here's a look at what's next:
- Michigan State, Oct. 18
- vs. UCLA, Oct. 25
- at Maryland, Nov. 1
- at Penn State, Nov. 8
- vs. Wisconsin, Nov. 15
- vs. Purdue, Nov. 28
Given Indiana's remaining schedule, the Hoosiers look to have the inside track to both the Big Ten title game and College Football Playoff.
The win is just another remarkable one for Cignetti, who deserves all the credit for a historic road win for this Indiana program. Enjoy this one, Hoosier fans.
MORE:Ohio State's defense flexes against Illinois: Why Buckeyes are on historic pace through six games
Category: General Sports
