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Curt Cignetti's message to Indiana ahead of Oregon showdown: 'Relax and play their game'

headshotby: Alec Lasley10/07/25allasley
Syndication: The Herald-Times
Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.

Curt Cignetti has been known for his systematic approach to each and every day. It’s been the backbone that has guided Indiana to its second-straight 5-0 start for the first time in program history — on the heels of a College Football Playoff appearance in year one.

But entering game week against Oregon and a top-10 matchup on the road, questions continue to be asked about Indiana’s lack of success against power programs following last season’s losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Despite all of the ‘noise’ nationally about what Indiana is or isn’t, or what Indiana could be, Cignetti continues to stay focused on his north star; his system and attention to details. Nothing changes despite the magnitude of Saturday’s game.

“I say it all the time; you prepare for them all the same,” Cignetti said on Monday. “Otherwise you’d be doing a disservice to your team if you’re all in one game and not all in on another. From that standpoint, it’s pretty much the same.”

Oregon isn’t just another opponent, however. The Ducks were the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff a year ago and come in winning 23 straight regular season games including four of the last five against ranked opponents — the lone loss coming to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

Oregon also hasn’t lost a home game since 2022 — an environment and home-field advantage they don’t take lightly.

“The excitement is around playing an unbelievable team, but I think you’d be lying if you said it didn’t effect our fans and the excitement around this game that it’s going to create for them,” Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said on Monday. “Our fans have always been unbelievable but we want everybody in the Big Ten to get to experience that. Indiana is coming and they’re obviously a really talented team, but our fans have a chance to make an impact, and we want to see it and feel it on Saturday.”

That type of an impact left Indiana shellshocked last season against the Buckeyes and early against the Irish. Having a lot of players who played in those environment’s back this season, in addition to newcomers who have played all over the country — the experiences they’ve had up to this point will prove to be an asset, says Cignetti. As will having a road game against a fiery Iowa crowd under this team’s belt.

“I think anytime you do something the second time, it helps that you’ve been through it one time before,” Cignetti said. “Iowa was a sellout. It was loud. To have that kind of preparation going into this game will help.

“We have a veteran team. So they’ve been around the block. Most of them have been in games like this before.”

So while the crowd will be an x-factor, Cignetti is doing everything he can to ensure it’s not the x-factor come Saturday.

“I mean, I’m trying to get as much done today as possible and find the edge, like every game,” Cignetti said. ” … You put together the best plan for your team that you think gives you the best chance to be successful.

“But I have confidence in our team, right. They are big. They are athletic. They are a very good football team. We’re a good football team.”

Whether Indiana likes it or not, it is still looking to earn the respect of the nation. Despite a 53-point dominating win at home against No. 9 Illinois earlier this season, beating the likes of an Oregon is on a different mantel.

Not only is this the most talented team Indiana has had in quite some time — if not ever — the systematic approach this coaching staff has instilled in the group is an x-factor in itself. Cignetti even talked earlier this season about ‘learning how to do things like championship programs’. This weekend is another test.

Indiana has passed numerous tests in Cignetti’s year and a half in Bloomington.

Saturday, however, is an entirely new level of disruption and havoc that Indiana can create if it goes into Eugene and walks away with a win. Nothing changes — just ‘play their game’, says the IU head coach.

“Like the rest of the guys on the team, ‘relax and play their game’. We’re just going to go out there and play our game and play it well,” he said.

“Looking forward to the challenge. Confidence in our team.”

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