Curt Cignetti reacts to fan backlash over Indiana CFP ranking: 'I do better when I'm a little angry'

Many were shocked to find that Indiana was ranked only No. 8 in the first College Football Playoff ranking of 2024 on Tuesday night despite a 9-0 record. But Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti is using it as motivation for his team to go out and prove themselves to the committee.

Pat McAfee, a notable figure in Indiana sports after spending eight years as a punter with the Indianapolis Colts, had Cignetti on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday afternoon. He let the coach know that many people are rooting for him and believe in his team was “disrespected” with where they landed in the initial rankings.

“Well, that’s nice,” Cignetti responded. “We’re always looking for motivation, trust me. That edge, that chip. I do better when I’m a little angry. Everybody’s looking for something. But, you know, focusing on the right things. There will be a time and a place to comment on other things later. The key right now is you’ve got to win.”

"What's going on here is incredible and it's a movement..

It's starting to catch on nationally a bit and we gotta keep doing our part" ~ @CCignettiIU #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/LUir2Z4bGc

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 6, 2024

Indiana’s spot in the CFP rankings goes to show just how much the committee values strength of schedule. Five of the seven teams ranked above the Hoosiers have at least one loss, but Indiana’s has only the 103rd toughest schedule in the country according to ESPN.

That said, the Hoosiers have been one of the most impressive stories in the country as Curt Cignetti is certainly a candidate for Coach of the Year in his inaugural season. This is the first 9-0 start in program history and comes after the team finished 3-9 a year prior to his arrival.

Transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke has ignited the offense with 2,203 yards passing and a Big Ten-leading 19 touchdowns to only three interceptions. His performance has been so impressive that he’s even getting some buzz as a potential Heisman finalist.

Although Indiana might not be ranked where it wants at the moment, opportunities will present themselves later this month. The Hoosiers face Ohio State, which is currently ranked No. 2, in a little more than two weeks.

How they perform in that game could determine their postseason fate, but Cignetti will have them prepared to continue outperforming expectations.