Indiana coach Curt Cignetti criticizes ESPN and SEC

Indiana Hoosiers football coach Curt Cignetti has criticized the relationship between ESPN and the SEC following the release of the latest College Football Playoff rankings. During a radio interview with Inside Indiana Football, Cignetti suggested that ESPN writers favor SEC teams, which may influence how rankings are perceived compared to other conferences like the Big Ten.

Cignetti commented that the SEC receives significant support from the network, stating, “SEC gets a lot of love from ESPN and all their writers that they don’t technically pay but march to their drum.” He argued this dynamic contributes to SEC teams being ranked higher than certain two-loss teams from the Big Ten.

Currently ranked No. 6 in the polls, Indiana holds an 8-1 record. The team faces a critical four-week stretch against USC, Washington, and Purdue to solidify its position in the playoff race.