Indiana football is on the doorstep of the Big Ten Championship Game.
IU can lock up a spot in the title game with a win over Purdue in the Old Oaken Bucket game on Friday. It would also secure the program’s first-ever undefeated regular season. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will air on NBC and Peacock.
Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti met with local media on Monday to discuss the upcoming rivalry game. Here are some key points from the press conference.
Battling the Boilers
Purdue is in its first season with head coach Barry Odom, but things haven’t gone according to plan.
The Boilermakers are 2-9 overall, with an 0-8 mark in Big Ten play. Their two wins came in their first two games this year, against Ball State and Southern Illinois. PU came agonizingly close to a win against Rutgers, and it also played close games against Minnesota and Michigan.
Statistically, Purdue is better than it was last season in most categories. It has not yet translated to victories, but Cignetti knows the Boilermakers will be motivated for this game.
“They’re competing really hard. That’s what I see. There’s no give-up in that team,” he said. “They’re wide open on offense. Spread the output conflict, balance run and pass. Defensively really mix it up. Every play something different. They attack. They’ve got an aggressive style on offense and defense and special teams, and I’m sure that’s the personality of the head coach, who played linebacker in college, been a defensive guy. They attack. They’re a physical football team.”
A late-season refresh
Indiana is coming off its second bye week of the season, at an interesting time.
Some teams might prefer to have weeks off in the middle of the season, to get extra rest before upcoming long stretches of games. Cignetti’s team had its first bye during week 6, so a little less than halfway through the season. But this time, IU got a week off with just one game remaining in the regular season.
Of course, the Hoosiers have postseason football ahead, including the Big Ten Championship Game with a win in West Lafayette or if other results go their way with a loss.
Cignetti was more than pleased with the timing of the bye week.
“It was a much-needed off week, playing six games in a row late in the year. I think everybody that’s playing is banged up, and I think the entire organization was a little tired. I could feel it, sense it, Penn State week and Wisconsin week, so I think it came at a really good time,” Cignetti said. “Everybody seems to be refreshed. There was a lot of spirit at practice yesterday, and I can tell in the office everybody is rested up, so it’s a good thing.”
Fernandomania
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has become a clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy entering the last week of the regular season.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin had a down game against Rutgers, and Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson fell way off after the Crimson Tide lost to Oklahoma. Mendoza’s main competition, betting odds suggest, has become Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Mendoza’s No. 1 trait that’s drawn frequent praise throughout the season is his work ethic. Cignetti has previously said the quarterback works harder than any he’s been around. He shed some further light on Mendoza’s preparation and where it comes from on Monday.
“I think it’s because he wants to be great, and he’s willing to make the sacrifices and put the work in and has the discipline to do it day in and day out,” Cignetti said. “And I think (quarterbacks coach) Chandler Whitmer has done a great job too of developing him and showing him the way, so to speak.”
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