- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Does Indiana truly care about football?
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:15 pm
I’m talking about the admin. They didn’t spend top shelf dollars on staff and players all of a sudden. Things just kind of…happened.
This isn’t a fanbase devoted to perennial losers and underachievers (Miss State, South Carolina). The stadium was always half full. It was small. They didn’t underachieve, because for that you would need expectations and resources.
Go around the lake to Wisconsin, and I would understand. Maybe even Purdue…but Indiana? It seems like the fanbase was totally content being a hoops school, albeit their recent history in basketball has been rough. It just never seemed like they cared. There are a handful of schools that haven’t achieved much that have passionate and rabid fanbases (Texas A&M, West Virginia, Arkansas, Iowa St).
I think that is what has me perplexed going into the game. I’ve traveled around the country for games and have never met an IU fan that wanted to talk football. I feel like I’m in bizzaro world.
This isn’t a fanbase devoted to perennial losers and underachievers (Miss State, South Carolina). The stadium was always half full. It was small. They didn’t underachieve, because for that you would need expectations and resources.
Go around the lake to Wisconsin, and I would understand. Maybe even Purdue…but Indiana? It seems like the fanbase was totally content being a hoops school, albeit their recent history in basketball has been rough. It just never seemed like they cared. There are a handful of schools that haven’t achieved much that have passionate and rabid fanbases (Texas A&M, West Virginia, Arkansas, Iowa St).
I think that is what has me perplexed going into the game. I’ve traveled around the country for games and have never met an IU fan that wanted to talk football. I feel like I’m in bizzaro world.
8
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:18 pm to TexasTiger08
Sometimes a school gets lucky by hiring a great coach who changes the culture. Clemson is a most recent example of this.
This post was edited on 1/19/26 at 4:19 pm
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:18 pm to TexasTiger08
I'm sure they do now, they're fixing to win their 1st Natty 
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:20 pm to MasterAbe1
quote:
Clemson is a most recent example of this.
Clemson most definitely cared about football pre-Dabo.
But yes…lightning in a bottle far as culture.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:27 pm to TexasTiger08
It will be interesting to see how Indiana can handle next season with a lot of these older players leaving
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:32 pm to TexasTiger08
Good interview with IU president on Pat McAfee Show today. They definitely wanted to land Cignetti & knew what his potential was.
It also helps to have Mark Cuban’s attention. IU football is here to stay (as long as they have Cig).
It also helps to have Mark Cuban’s attention. IU football is here to stay (as long as they have Cig).
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:39 pm to JimTiger72
quote:
Good interview with IU president on Pat McAfee Show today. They definitely wanted to land Cignetti & knew what his potential was.
It also helps to have Mark Cuban’s attention. IU football is here to stay (as long as they have Cig).
I was coming to post this. She talked about how they made a conscious decision three or four years ago that they were going to go all in on football and this is the result of it.
I think they got lucky with Cignetti, but it sounds like they've put the foundation in place to compete consistently.
I think they caught lightening in a bottle with Mendoza and this will be an anomaly. They'll be a top 10 team as far as the eye can see, but I'm not sure they see this kind of season again.
This post was edited on 1/19/26 at 4:41 pm
Posted on 1/19/26 at 4:49 pm to TexasTiger08
Leadership makes all the difference.
All of us who went to big football-first schools know what happens when you have conflicted leadership at the top, or complacent leaders who only care about keeping the cash cow going without providing clear vision and goals.
All of us who went to big football-first schools know what happens when you have conflicted leadership at the top, or complacent leaders who only care about keeping the cash cow going without providing clear vision and goals.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 5:00 pm to PowerTool
quote:yeah!!
All of us who went to big football-first schools
Posted on 1/19/26 at 5:03 pm to TexasTiger08
If they went back to sucking, no one would care about them again. It’s like finding a $100 bill in your couch cushions, it’s a nice unexpected bonus.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:37 pm to TigerFanatic99
Cignetti used his knowledge of the players at the lower levels like G5 and FCS and DII to populate his team through the portal.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:43 pm to TexasTiger08
They do now.
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:49 pm to MasterAbe1
LSU with Saban was another
Posted on 1/19/26 at 6:52 pm to TexasTiger08
Lotta red in the stadium
Page 1 of 1
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News