Indiana head football coach Curt Cignetti just threw down the gauntlet, telling Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine that he’d absolutely play Notre Dame but with one massive catch. He wants the Fighting Irish to come to Indiana’s Memorial Stadium *twice* for every single trip the Hoosiers make to Notre Dame. “Yeah, I’d like to play Notre Dame. They ought to come to our place twice, and we’ll go up there once, since they’re not in a conference,” Cignetti said, straight up calling out Notre Dame’s independent status.
The Bad Blood Runs Deeper Than You Think
This isn’t just Cignetti talking smack. Turns out, Indiana and Notre Dame actually had a home-and-home series lined up for the 2030 and 2031 seasons. But get this: the Hoosiers *backed out* of that agreement! The Athletic’s Pete Sampson broke that news, and Notre Dame then had to go renew their series with USC, agreeing to a four-year contract to fill those exact 2030 and 2031 slots. It’s a crazy move, especially when you consider Memorial Stadium in Indiana holds 53,524 fans, while Notre Dame Stadium dwarfs it at 77,622 seats. Cignetti wasn’t even the head coach when those original games were arranged back in 2021; he only took over in 2024 and led the team to a national championship in 2025. Still, the current Hoosier brass, including Cignetti, are all about stacking the non-conference schedule with non-Power 4 opponents. This season, they’re playing North Texas, FCS program Howard, and Western Kentucky. Next year, it’s Kennesaw State, Indiana State, and UMass before Big Ten play even starts.
Big Ten Pride and That SEC Jab
Cignetti didn’t stop there. He used the interview to take a not-so-subtle swipe at the SEC, saying, “We figured we would just adopt an SEC scheduling philosophy.” Ouch. Then he went on to tout the strength of the Big Ten, making another dig at the SEC by declaring, “When we fall short, we say we fell short. We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. All right? And that’s why we’re the best.” It’s clear that conference pride is a huge factor in Indiana’s stance against playing Notre Dame, especially with that “since they don’t play in a conference” remark. Other Big Ten coaches, like Illinois’ Bret Bielema, share that sentiment. But here’s the kicker: other Big Ten programs, like Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Purdue, *are* playing Notre Dame this season. They can’t resist the prestige and exposure a matchup with the Fighting Irish brings. But for Cignetti and Indiana, facing titans like Ohio State and USC, plus tough road games against Michigan, Nebraska, and Washington in Big Ten play, is apparently enough.
With Indiana firmly sticking to their non-Power 4 non-conference schedule and Cignetti making such a bold public demand, it’s pretty clear where the Hoosiers stand. Don’t hold your breath for that “great in-state game” anytime soon, unless Notre Dame suddenly decides to bend the knee and play twice in Bloomington. This whole situation is wild, and it definitely sets the tone for how Cignetti views the competitive landscape.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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