Indiana's Cignetti Blasts CFP Drop to No. 9 as Big Ten Coaches Cite SEC Bias
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 13
Indiana's Cignetti Blasts CFP Drop to No. 9 as Big Ten Coaches Cite SEC Bias
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 13
Summary
Nine-place Indiana coach Curt Cignetti escalated his attack on the CFP rankings with an X post using crying and clown emojis after the 8-1 Hoosiers slid from No. 4 to No. 9 during a bye week.
Alabama's rise to No. 3 despite two losses appeared to be a target of the jab; chairman Hunter Yurachek defended the Crimson Tide's four quality wins after their 31-13 victory at LSU.
Big Ten frustration runs beyond Indiana: all four SEC teams at 6-3 made the latest Top 25, while only Oregon and Ohio State are ranked among the conference's five 6-3 teams.
Illinois coach Bret Bielema said his team would probably be top 15 in the SEC after beating Nebraska, and Iowa's Kirk Ferentz mocked ESPN's influence over a ranking show he says he will not watch.
The dispute adds to broader questions about whether the playoff committee is rewarding conference brand strength over on-field resumes as postseason positioning tightens.