While Kentucky football fans stewed over a bye week filled with frustration and apathy, another basketball-first state was delivering a message hundreds of miles away. It was a message about what’s possible in modern college football. A message about how quickly things can change with the right leader.
It was a direct message to Mitch Barnhart, and one he needs to listen to.
A stunner in Eugene
On Saturday night, Indiana football went on the road and stunned No. 5 Oregon 30-20 in Eugene. The win snapped the Ducks' near 3-year home winning streak and sent shockwaves through the college football world. For the Hoosiers, who crashed the College Football Playoff last season, it was just another sign that they have become a national force.
It all started with a coaching change.
A familiar story of decline
Just two years ago, Indiana football was a punchline. Tom Allen, the coach since 2017, finished his tenure with a 33-49 record. In his final three seasons, the program completely cratered, going 9-26 overall and a miserable 3-24 in the Big Ten. They finished 3-9 in his last year.
Sound familiar? It should. Since the start of the 2024 season, Kentucky is 6-11 overall and just 1-10 in the SEC.
Like Kentucky, Indiana does not have an elite in-state recruiting base. Both states are filled with hard-working, three-star prospects who require development to compete at a high level. That development starts and ends with the head coach.
The Cignetti effect: Belief and a winning culture
Indiana made a change, hiring Curt Cignetti from James Madison. The impact was immediate and profound. His players don't just play for him; they believe in him. I don't think you will find that same level of commitment in Kentucky players, last year one was at the hot dog line during a game.
“You wanna play for someone like Coach Cig who is so confident in himself that it flows to his players,” linebacker Aiden Fisher told ESPN. “A lot of people ask 'why [did] you follow Cignetti [from James Madison]?' This is why. He's better than anyone in the country. That's why people want to play for him.”
That belief is built on a history of winning. Cignetti led James Madison to a staggering 52-9 record. When he was hired by Indiana, he made a promise: “I am excited to lead this program forward and change the culture, mindset, and expectation level of Hoosier football.”
He has delivered. In less than two full seasons, Cignetti is now 17-2 at the helm in Bloomington with a College Football Playoff berth and is well on his way to a second.
The verdict: It can happen in Lexington
Before Curt Cignetti arrived, how many 10-win seasons did Indiana have in its entire history? Zero.
That proves that history doesn't dictate the future in the current climate of college football. It’s not about what a program was; it’s about who is leading it now. Indiana is riding high, knocking off top-five opponents on the road and preparing for another playoff run. Mark Stoops is just trying to find a win.
The problem isn’t the state, the fans, or the history. It’s the coach. And Indiana’s incredible turnaround is proof that a bold change can deliver results that were once considered impossible.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion