Curt Cignetti Balances Critique and Respect for Notre Dame

In a surprising revelation, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti admitted earlier this month that he has never seen the iconic film Rudy. During a conversation with screenwriter Angelo Pizzo, known for creating sports classics like Rudy and Hoosiers, Cignetti stated he would not watch Rudy due to his dislike for Notre Dame.

Despite his criticisms, Cignetti demonstrated significant respect for the Fighting Irish in the 2025 Coaches Poll. His final ballot, released recently, featured Notre Dame ranked seventh, the highest position assigned by any participating coach.

Curt Cignetti’s Coaches Poll Rankings

The final rankings by Cignetti showcased a strong Big Ten presence, yet also recognized the prowess of Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame team. His complete top 25 is as follows:

• 1. Indiana
• 2. Miami
• 3. Oregon
• 4. Ole Miss
• 5. Ohio State
• 6. Georgia
• 7. Notre Dame
• 8. Texas
• 9. Texas A&M
• 10. Texas Tech
• 11. Iowa
• 12. Alabama
• 13. Oklahoma
• 14. BYU
• 15. Utah
• 16. Illinois
• 17. Michigan
• 18. Washington
• 19. Vanderbilt
• 20. TCU
• 21. USC
• 22. SMU
• 23. Arizona
• 24. Houston
• 25. James Madison

Implications of Indiana’s Success

Cignetti’s ranking has sparked discussions among Notre Dame fans, particularly in light of Indiana’s recent national championship victory. Some fans feel conflicted about Indiana’s success, perhaps due to Cignetti’s comments prior to their matchup.

Indiana is located approximately 200 miles south of South Bend, further intertwining the two programs. With Indiana achieving greatness after years of underperformance, the pressure on Notre Dame to secure a national title intensifies.

For fans, the phrase “if Indiana can do it, so can we” resonates deeply. This shift in the college football landscape could motivate Notre Dame’s decision-makers to elevate their competitive efforts.

Moreover, memorabilia celebrating Indiana’s national championship victory, such as prints featuring Fernando Mendoza on the cover of Sports Illustrated, are now available. Fans are hopeful that in the upcoming year, names like CJ Carr or Marcus Freeman will join Mendoza in a moment of glory.