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Curt Cignetti, Nick Saban go NSFW discussing Indiana's strength of schedule, trash talk

On3 imageby:Andrew Graham•12/20/24•

AndrewEdGraham

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Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images/Rich Janzaruk (Herald-Times)

Curt Cignetti knows his Indiana team didn’t play a vaunted slate of opponents in 2024 en route to an 11-1 record and an at-large berth in the College Football Playoff. But he still thinks his team showed plenty during the regular season, too.

So joining the College GameDay set ahead of a showdown at Notre Dame on Friday evening, Cignetti was again unrepentant about his team and how good they were. He also cited the fact that Indiana did, in fact, beat a Top 25 team — and by a lot — before getting a bit more animated.

“I mean look: There’s a lot of skeptics, there’s a lot of doubters,” Cignetti said. “I get it. ‘Haven’t beat a Top 25 team.’ Nebraska’s 25th in the Coaches Poll and beat their ass 56-7. And I’ve ‘never beat a Top 25 team.’ Well, you know, Coastal Carolina, back when we were at old James Madison, we went up to the Sun Belt and they were 22nd, end of the year we beat them 47-7. We don’t just beat Top 25 teams, we beat the s*** out of them.”

After that response drew plenty of noise from the pro-Notre Dame crowd behind them, the interview continued and Cignetti was eventually asked about the influence Nick Saban — who was also on the desk — had on him.

Cignetti worked under Saban at Alabama early during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.

“I probably learned a lot from my dad but I never really coached for him, so I can’t really put those things on paper,” Cignetti said. “But, really, I would say 95% of my beliefs and philosophies were sort of the things I learned from Coach Saban, things we did at Alabama, and then put into my thoughts and words. And I would say it’s very similar. Now maybe some of our methods are a little different but I would say the overall program philosophy in terms of being process-centered, high standards and expectations, never lower your standards, hold people accountable, consistency in performance and how you do everything — the same.”

Saban was appreciative of the praise, but wanted to make sure one thing wasn’t a lesson he taught. 

“Well I appreciate it. One thing you didn’t learn from me is talking all the s*** you talk,” Saban said.