B1G Discussion Thread

[MPClinton22]

Ignoring white out issues and games against then-#3 and now-#3, Oregon's first 4 games included 2 power conference teams + a recent power conference program good enough to face ND in a bowl just a year prior to our NCG. That's a better season-opening slate than many teams, and they outscored those opponents 203-37 while getting CFB's second-longest-tenured coach fired. It's not like Oregon scheduled a bunch of home games vs Northern Illinois, Marshall, etc.

All told, Oregon's SOS ranks 12th according to the most easily accessible up-to-date model, and F+ composite efficiency rankings still have Oregon #2 in the country.

There certainly are worse schedules out there. But two of the FBS teams they've played are currently a combined 1-12 - one of which is Oregon State, which we did play in a bowl game in 2023 but is now a complete shell of that program.

Then they've played Northwestern (who also just beat Oregon's marquee victory in Happy Valley), an FCS team and lost to IU. I'm just saying, nothing about that actually tells me if Oregon is any good.

With the way rosters turn over year to year now, it's harder than ever to use past years' performances to determine how good any team is. And Oregon has not given me any strong reasons to think they're as good as their ranking. Happy to admit if it turns out I'm wrong, but that's just my take so far.

 

[ulukinatme]

What if Oregon isn’t that good. That PSU win isn’t looking as impressive now.

Honestly, last year seemed like a paper tiger situation with IU. Coming out and repeating it, with a huge road W in Eugene, that's attention-getting stuff. I do think the jury is still out on Oregon with how PSU has crumbled, but that's not an easy place to play and win by two scores.

Props to Coach Cig, even though his scheduling model is absolutely cowardly.

Yeah, last year IU had no ranked wins and essentially made it to the playoff having done very little (But still more than usual for the Hoosiers). This year the Oregon win looked like a real step up, and while it's still a good win it seems obvious that Oregon isn't quite as good as they were last year.

One thing is certain, IU ain't the #3 team in the country. They may be ranked that way today, but in reality they're probably somewhere between 10-15. They'll play a more physical team and get crushed I think.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Apparently Cig is such an ass he alienated the entire underdog nation.
This is something the entire sports world would typically be rooting for.

 

[Irish#1]

The hate for Cignetti is crazy. I get he rubs some people wrong. Is he arrogant or confident and isn't afraid to express his confidence? While I'm not a fan of braggers, I suspect a lot of what you see has been intentional to inject some confidence in a program that hasn't had any for a long time. Teams are a reflection of their coach. I think by the end of his third year, we'll have a better idea of how good he is. I could take him or leave him, but regardless of your opinion, his "google me" comment is one of the all time greats coming from a coaches mouth.

 

[Bane]

The hate for Cignetti is crazy. I get he rubs some people wrong. Is he arrogant or confident and isn't afraid to express his confidence? While I'm not a fan of braggers, I suspect a lot of what you see has been intentional to inject some confidence in a program that hasn't had any for a long time. Teams are a reflection of their coach. I think by the end of his third year, we'll have a better idea of how good he is. I could take him or leave him, but regardless of your opinion, his "google me" comment is one of the all time greats coming from a coaches mouth.

I don't mind confidence or even cockiness. I like Lane Kiffin of all people. My personal problem with Cig is it feels like an act. The man surrender punted in a playoff game down 17 in the second half at midfield. That's not the sign of a confident coach. That's a coach who's entire routine leading up to the playoff game was bullshit, he never believed they could beat ND and that punt was an attempt to mitigate the damage so he could say they didn't get blown out. It was also pretty clear judging by Freeman and the team's reactions after the game they don't care much for Cignetti. Freeman relished getting one over on him and the team "put out the Cig" after the game.

The "Google me" shit is no different than BK shucking at the LSU basketball game talking about how he hasn't even gotten all of "his" wins yet. It just comes across different to Irish fans because they have a personal beef against BK. He's every bit the self centered douche of BK or James Franklin but he has the veneer of the underdog story to run cover for him.

Me personally? I don't care about the underdog thing, that has never really affected my rooting interests. I mean, I cheer for ND not because I want the plucky underdog, I want the damn Death Star.

Again, good coach for sure. I'm not taking anything away from him, I just personally hate the guy and find him to be a fake tough guy. The kind of guy who after I tell them I was in the Marines goes on and on about how he almost joined but his knee or back or whatever.

 

[MPClinton22]

I don't mind confidence or even cockiness. I like Lane Kiffin of all people. My personal problem with Cig is it feels like an act. The man surrender punted in a playoff game down 17 in the second half at midfield. That's not the sign of a confident coach. That's a coach who's entire routine leading up to the playoff game was bullshit, he never believed they could beat ND and that punt was an attempt to mitigate the damage so he could say they didn't get blown out. It was also pretty clear judging by Freeman and the team's reactions after the game they don't care much for Cignetti. Freeman relished getting one over on him and the team "put out the Cig" after the game.

The "Google me" shit is no different than BK shucking at the LSU basketball game talking about how he hasn't even gotten all of "his" wins yet. It just comes across different to Irish fans because they have a personal beef against BK. He's every bit the self centered douche of BK or James Franklin but he has the veneer of the underdog story to run cover for him.

Me personally? I don't care about the underdog thing, that has never really affected my rooting interests. I mean, I cheer for ND not because I want the plucky underdog, I want the damn Death Star.

Again, good coach for sure. I'm not taking anything away from him, I just personally hate the guy and find him to be a fake tough guy. The kind of guy who after I tell them I was in the Marines goes on and on about how he almost joined but his knee or back or whatever.

It's exactly this. He blew out tons of mid teams and lost to the only elite teams he played. This year the conversation seemingly has evolved after they got the win over an overrated Illinois, and then a potentially overrated Oregon. Beat or be competitive with OSU and win a game in the playoff and I'll buy into his tough guy schtick, but forgive me if the wins they've gotten don't really impress me just yet.

We dealt with the same thing up until last year, which was why getting the UGA and Penn State games was so huge - those legitimately changed the narrative around ND, and I don't think IU nor Cig has actually earned that yet. And I don't think Cignetti-like arrogant bluster would have been a good look for our coaches before that either.

 

[Bane]

It's exactly this. He blew out tons of mid teams and lost to the only elite teams he played. This year the conversation seemingly has evolved after they got the win over an overrated Illinois, and then a potentially overrated Oregon. Beat or be competitive with OSU and win a game in the playoff and I'll buy into his tough guy schtick, but forgive me if the wins they've gotten don't really impress me just yet.

We dealt with the same thing up until last year, which was why getting the UGA and Penn State games was so huge - those legitimately changed the narrative around ND, and I don't think IU nor Cig has actually earned that yet. And I don't think Cignetti-like arrogant bluster would have been a good look for our coaches before that either.

Exactly. I was a little chapped when the playoff bracket was announced and I saw PSU's undeserved gilded path to the semifinals, but then I realized that having a more difficult path to the title game would be good in the long run. It certainly changed our national perception as even at 0-2 this season we were getting tons of love from the media. A run of IU-UGA-PSU is legitimate.

 

[SportsingHard]

The hate for Cignetti is crazy. I get he rubs some people wrong. Is he arrogant or confident and isn't afraid to express his confidence? While I'm not a fan of braggers, I suspect a lot of what you see has been intentional to inject some confidence in a program that hasn't had any for a long time. Teams are a reflection of their coach. I think by the end of his third year, we'll have a better idea of how good he is. I could take him or leave him, but regardless of your opinion, his "google me" comment is one of the all time greats coming from a coaches mouth.

Confidence takes a nap under a shady tree while fragility and insecurity build dynasties.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I didn't have a problem with him until he complained about the SOS "narrative" that was out there about his team last year before the OSU game, only to get his teeth kicked in. Then he got pantsed against ND. Then he doubles down by backing out of a home and home against UVA to schedule Montana St or something. Cowardly scheduling after he complained about the SOS narrative the year prior.

Again, impressive win on Saturday, biggest one in his tenure. Doesn't mean I have to like the guy.

 

[Sea Turtle]

If Freeman leaves for PSU, you absolutely call Curt 'we kick ass and take names' Cignetti.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

If Freeman leaves for PSU, you absolutely call Curt 'we kick ass and take names' Cignetti.

Isn't there an IU board you can post your IU BS on?

 

[SportsingHard]

If Freeman leaves for PSU, you absolutely call Curt 'we kick ass and take names' Cignetti.

 

[Dale]

If Freeman leaves for PSU, you absolutely call Curt 'we kick ass and take names' Cignetti.

Nah Luke Fickell will be available

 

[PolishDomer]

If Freeman leaves for PSU, you absolutely call Curt 'we kick ass and take names' Cignetti.

 

[greyhammer90]

In no way do I think Freeman is leaving, and I wouldn't trade him for basically anyone, but as a thought experiment: When I think about what I would be looking for in a head coach in an emergency situation if Freeman suddenly retired or disappeared I think it would be:

1) Someone who would take advantage of the offensive talent and maximize Carr for a championship window,

2) Someone who would manage to keep the recruiting classes and excitement around the program intact for the short term,

3) Someone who understands NIL and modern college football for the cynical and silly thing it is.

And as much as I hate to admit it, there's a guy out there that checks all those boxes



Neg away.

 

[SportsingHard]

In no way do I think Freeman is leaving, and I wouldn't trade him for basically anyone, but as a thought experiment: When I think about what I would be looking for in a head coach in an emergency situation if Freeman suddenly retired or disappeared I think it would be:

1) Someone who would take advantage of the offensive talent and maximize Carr for a championship window,

2) Someone who would manage to keep the recruiting classes and excitement around the program intact for the short term,

3) Someone who understands NIL and modern college football for the cynical and silly thing it is.

And as much as I hate to admit it, there's a guy out there that checks all those boxes



Neg away.

Is that Joey Freshwater? I don't believe he'd pass the morality/lifestyle check.

 

[greyhammer90]

Is that Joey Freshwater? I don't believe he'd pass the morality/lifestyle check.

Probably not, though I've genuinely not heard anything scummy about him since his Bama OC days. Now all I see of him is fishing, his dog, his kids, and bitching about not being in the playoffs.

I more made the post because I was surprised at how many boxes he checked for what I would want in a coach if we needed one on short-notice. I think even in the best case both sides would understand that he's a "rental", but I could see him winning a lot of games with Carr.

 

[Irish du Nord]

If Freeman were to leave, god forbid, I wouldn’t want a guy who hasn’t coached at a program with historical success. They wouldn’t understand the demands and pressure of coaching at ND. You hire Cignetti, Kiffin, or Sherrone Moore? May as well hire Gerry Faust.

Which is why the next coach of ND will be

 

[SportsingHard]

Probably not, though I've genuinely not heard anything scummy about him since his Bama OC days. Now all I see of him is fishing, his dog, his kids, and bitching about not being in the playoffs.

I more made the post because I was surprised at how many boxes he checked for what I would want in a coach if we needed one on short-notice. I think even in the best case both sides would understand that he's a "rental", but I could see him winning a lot of games with Carr.

He would up the fun. That's for sure. As long as he was winning.

 

[greyhammer90]

If Freeman were to leave, god forbid, I wouldn’t want a guy who hasn’t coached at a program with historical success. They wouldn’t understand the demands and pressure of coaching at ND. You hire Cignetti, Kiffin, or Sherrone Moore? May as well hire Gerry Faust.

Which is why the next coach of ND will beView attachment 3060575

Kiffin was HC at Tennessee and USC and was OC at Bama. I think he's got more exposure than most.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

If Freeman were to leave, god forbid, I wouldn’t want a guy who hasn’t coached at a program with historical success. They wouldn’t understand the demands and pressure of coaching at ND. You hire Cignetti, Kiffin, or Sherrone Moore? May as well hire Gerry Faust.

Which is why the next coach of ND will beView attachment 3060575

 

[SportsingHard]

If Freeman were to leave, god forbid, I wouldn’t want a guy who hasn’t coached at a program with historical success. They wouldn’t understand the demands and pressure of coaching at ND. You hire Cignetti, Kiffin, or Sherrone Moore? May as well hire Gerry Faust.

Which is why the next coach of ND will beView attachment 3060575

 

[Irish2155]

Isn't there an IU board you can post your IU BS on?

https://www.hoosiersportsnation.com/forum/9-general-football-discussion/

There is already a sea turtle here too. Coincidence? Possible, not probable.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I don't mind confidence or even cockiness. I like Lane Kiffin of all people. My personal problem with Cig is it feels like an act. The man surrender punted in a playoff game down 17 in the second half at midfield. That's not the sign of a confident coach. That's a coach who's entire routine leading up to the playoff game was bullshit, he never believed they could beat ND and that punt was an attempt to mitigate the damage so he could say they didn't get blown out. It was also pretty clear judging by Freeman and the team's reactions after the game they don't care much for Cignetti. Freeman relished getting one over on him and the team "put out the Cig" after the game.

The "Google me" shit is no different than BK shucking at the LSU basketball game talking about how he hasn't even gotten all of "his" wins yet. It just comes across different to Irish fans because they have a personal beef against BK. He's every bit the self centered douche of BK or James Franklin but he has the veneer of the underdog story to run cover for him.

Me personally? I don't care about the underdog thing, that has never really affected my rooting interests. I mean, I cheer for ND not because I want the plucky underdog, I want the damn Death Star.

Again, good coach for sure. I'm not taking anything away from him, I just personally hate the guy and find him to be a fake tough guy. The kind of guy who after I tell them I was in the Marines goes on and on about how he almost joined but his knee or back or whatever.

He's arrogant. Really likes to talk about himself, what he's done wherever he's been, etc. He brought a lot of JMU players with him to IU. They're taking advantage of the Portal and NIL, and why not? It was their best football season ever and this year might be better or at worst 2nd best. The scheduling thing definitely bugs me, though. Don't talk tough and then start shedding meat off the schedule for cupcakes.

I'm not arguing what he's accomplished. I don't particularly care for how he carries himself.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Kiffin was HC at Tennessee and USC and was OC at Bama. I think he's got more exposure than most.

Small potatoes, both live in their rival’s shadow

 

[Sea Turtle]

I think you guys are being a little hard on Cignetti and Indiana. You don't have to blow out their candle for ND's to glow brighter.

 

[Irish2155]

I think that Cig just rubs some people the wrong way which is understandable. His style isn’t for everyone and that’s just fine.

If Freeman was ever to get hit by a bus, I’d take Cig in a heartbeat

 

[Bane]

Confidence takes a nap under a shady tree while fragility and insecurity build dynasties.

Cryptic WR tweet ass post.

 

[Bane]

In no way do I think Freeman is leaving, and I wouldn't trade him for basically anyone, but as a thought experiment: When I think about what I would be looking for in a head coach in an emergency situation if Freeman suddenly retired or disappeared I think it would be:

1) Someone who would take advantage of the offensive talent and maximize Carr for a championship window,

2) Someone who would manage to keep the recruiting classes and excitement around the program intact for the short term,

3) Someone who understands NIL and modern college football for the cynical and silly thing it is.

And as much as I hate to admit it, there's a guy out there that checks all those boxes



Neg away.

I love Lane, totally on the Lane Train in general but I think he’s a bad cultural fit for ND. I don’t think it’s a disaster or anything but some guys are just fits in certain places. Hard to imagine Lane trolling Cristobal’s man boobs in one tweet and then extolling the virtues of the ND culture and degree in the next lol.