Grading College Football Playoff sleepers … from Indiana to Illinois

Coach “Google Me” saw a spike in search traffic Saturday afternoon.

Indiana’s 56-7 destruction of Nebraska sparked more college football observers to familiarize themselves with Curt Cignetti, the first-year coach of the Hoosiers who’s full of bravado, with the résumé to back it up.

“There was a national perception that Nebraska had a pretty legit defense on a national scale,” Cignetti said after the romp. “So, that will open eyes, OK?”

Consider me wide-eyed.

The Hoosiers are among seven undefeated Power Four teams, and although their 7-0 record comes as a surprise to many, it doesn’t to Cignetti, who boldly declared this after Indiana hired him: “It’s pretty simple. I win. Google me.”

More than halfway through Cignetti’s first season in Bloomington, the prospect of his Hoosiers qualifying for the College Football Playoff generates some Google buzz.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti talks with wide receiver Andison Coby (0) during their game against Western Illinois at Memorial Stadium.

Indiana’s playoff hopes are real, for three reasons:

1. The schedule breaks nicely. The Hoosiers won’t play fellow the Big Ten’s other undefeated teams, Oregon and Penn State, during the regular season. Just one ranked opponent, Ohio State, lurks on Indiana’s schedule. The Hoosiers represents the Big Ten’s best chance at a fourth playoff qualifier, and an 11-1 record might entice the CFP committee, as long as Indiana doesn’t get demolished by the Buckeyes.

2. The Hoosiers aren’t just winning. They’re blowing out their competition. So, true, this win against No. 25 Nebraska registers as their best win, but the selection committee shouldn’t ignore an average margin of victory of 35 points.

3. No obvious weakness cripples Indiana, and veteran quarterback Kurtis Rourke registers as a trump card.

Cignetti…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/grading-college-football-playoff-sleepers-190403341.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-20 19:04:03

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