Indiana football was almost always a program that aimed to reach six wins in a season. It meant the Hoosiers would reach bowl eligibility, earning the opportunity to play in a postseason game with a trophy on the line.
But since Curt Cignetti arrived nearly two years ago, the goals have shifted.
Gone are the days of striving for just six wins and a victory over in-state rival Purdue to claim the Old Oaken Bucket.
Instead, the second-year head coach led the Hoosiers to an 11-1 regular-season record last season. This season, Indiana is 10-0. When it defeated then-No. 3 Oregon on Oct. 11 to reach six wins, no fanfare was made about reaching bowl eligibility.
With just two regular-season games remaining and a Big Ten championship game berth seemingly in the cards, the Hoosiers have elevated themselves to a true national championship contender.
“I think we need to understand that we're going to get everybody's best shot,” Cignetti said at his press conference Monday. “We're not sneaking up on anyone anymore.”
Indiana has three victories this season in historically hostile road environments: Iowa on Sept. 27, Oregon and Penn State on Nov. 8.
Redshirt junior quarterback Fernando Mendoza led game-winning drives in each contest after throwing fourth-quarter interceptions. The Hoosiers sit at 10-0 with two games remaining against Wisconsin on Saturday and Purdue on Nov. 28 — which are a combined 1-12 in conference play.
On paper, it appears Indiana has almost certainly secured its spot in the Big Ten Championship game Dec. 6 in Indianapolis. But Cignetti’s squad isn’t taking its noon Saturday matchup with Wisconsin lightly. They’ll get the Badgers’ “best shot.”
“They're a tough, gritty football team,” Cignetti said. “They've had a murderer's row schedule: Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Iowa, Washington, Alabama, you name it.”
Wisconsin notched just its third win of the season and first against a Big Ten opponent when it defeated Washington by 3 points Nov. 8. The Badgers have dealt with numerous quarterback injuries.
First, it was graduate student Billy Edwards Jr. who went down with a lower-body injury in the season opener. He’s played in just two games and attempted 16 total passes.
The Badgers turned to sophomore Danny O’Neil and later redshirt senior Hunter Simmons. The former was carted off with a leg injury against the Huskies, so Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell turned to his fourth signal caller of the season.
The Badgers aren’t alone in dealing with injuries.
Senior receiver Elijah Sarratt suffered a hamstring injury against Maryland on Nov. 1, when he exited in the first quarter. He’s yet to return to action.
“Sarratt is day-to-day right now,” Cignetti said, “and I'll know more every single day.”
Left guard Drew Evans first missed the Hoosiers’ victory over the Terrapins. Cignetti said after that contest the redshirt junior would be out for “a few weeks.” He’s still a few weeks away from returning, Cignetti said Monday.
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Zen Michalski slid into Evans’ role against Maryland. However, he got “dinged up” in practice last week, so redshirt freshman offensive guard Adedamola Ajani replaced him. Michalski still played against the Nittany Lions, but sparingly. Cignetti thought Ajani “played well.”
Indiana will now celebrate its 28 players in their final season of eligibility on Senior Day against Wisconsin as it seeks its 11th win of the season.
Among those who’ll be honored are seven players who followed Cignetti from James Madison University to Indiana. Linebacker Aiden Fisher, defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, running back Kaelon Black and Sarratt headline the group.
“...Those guys have been tremendous foundational pieces for the program back at JMU and here at Indiana,” Cignetti said. “They're great players, great people, great leaders. ”
And while Senior Day marks a typically emotional day where players take part in their final home game, the Hoosiers’ sights are far wider. Cignetti said he “doubts” any senior is thinking about the end of their collegiate careers ahead of Saturday.
“I think we're on a little bit of a mission here, and that's really been the focus,” Cignetti said. “I think that's how the kids are thinking, too.”
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
