After Strength of Schedule Questions, Cignetti Addresses Non-Conference Philosophy

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Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Strength of schedule became a hot topic regarding Indiana football in 2024. It was the biggest argument against Indiana making it into the College Football Playoff after an 11-1 (8-1) regular season. Indiana finished 35th in strength of schedule according to ESPN’s FPI metrics.

The only part of the schedule IU can control is the non-conference schedule, which was weak in 2024. The Hoosiers dropped Louisville and replaced them with FCE foe Western Illinois, a move that happened under the previous staff. IU also played Florida International and Charlotte from the Group of Five.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti was asked about his philosophy on non-conference scheduling for the future.

“I like winning ball games.” Cignetti said on a Zoom call Wednesday. “I think most coaches do. I mean, we play nine Big Ten Conference games, which is more than most the other conferences. So I'm going to play who's on the schedule. And I think we got Notre Dame coming up down the road. But I'm going to play who's on the schedule.”

The Hoosiers don’t play Notre Dame, a series scheduled under the previous staff, until 2030 and 2031.

The Hoosiers still need to schedule intelligently. As Cignetti pointed out, the Big Ten plays nine conference games, one more than the SEC does. IU has buried themselves early in the past by trying to schedule tougher teams like Missouri and Navy in 2013. That team finished 5-7 and missed a bowl game while going 2-2 in the non-confernce.

The Hoosiers will again face questions on their 2025 non-conference schedule as IU plays Indiana State (FCS), Kennesaw State and Old Dominion. However, the committee made it clear that wins mattered more than quality losses. For IU to make another run at the CFP, going 3-0 in the non-conference portion of the schedule is a must.

IU’s Future non-conference slates look like this:

2025

  • Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State

2026

  • Colorado State, at UConn, Open

2027

  • at Virginia, Indiana State, UMass

2028

  • Eastern Michigan, Virginia, Open

2029

  • Ball State, Western Kentucky, Open

2030

  • at Notre Dame, Open, Open

2031

  • Notre Dame, Open, Open