The Ohio State Buckeyes' newest rival, Curt Cignetti, absolutely blasted the SEC on Day Three of Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State's newest rival school, the Indiana Hoosiers, are entering the 2026 season looking to go back-to-back. The team and the season that they put together last year was a special one, and now, head coach Curt Cignetti has good reason to puff his chest out.
Not the ever waited for a reason to be cocky or confident, but he has one now, and he is using it to the fullest extent.
He was asked a question on Thursday whether or not he thought that the Big Ten schedule either prepares or hinders a team heading into the playoffs.
His response was amazing.
He started by saying. "I think that is a loaded question." He finished his quote by saying, "The Big Ten is the best league in football. (There are) a lot of really good football teams. It's hard to win on the road. Very physical football teams, very well coached. It definitely prepares you for the Playoffs."
He wasn't done there. He put an exclamation point on it, saying, "We don't run a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe that everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say 'we fell short.' We don't cry a river, whine, and complain. And that's why we are the best."
Oh yeah, that's the good stuff.
The SEC versus Big Ten debate has reached a fever pitch. Right now, the Big Ten is just the best conference in football, and that's okay to say. They have won the last three National Championships, and the middle of the conference is equal, if not better than, that of the SEC.
It's not much of a debate but teams down south continue to try and make it one.
The Buckeyes are going to get a taste of the best of both conferences next year. They are going to get the Texas Longhorns in Week Two before getting Indiana and Oregon in their Big Ten schedule.
How the Buckeyes fare in those games will be another data point in this crazy discussion that seemingly will never go away.
For now, Curt Cignetti stomped out the conversation on live TV on a hot mic. Now, it will be up to all of the teams during the fall to do their part in holding up their end of the bargain.
It will be fascinating to see, but with the way that things are looking right now, I have a hard time not believing that at next year's Media Days, there will be four National Championship trophies on that table next to the podium.
