Leinart Favors Cignetti Over Ryan Day in Upcoming Ohio State–Indiana Duel
Ryan Day versus Curt Cignetti?
FOX Sports’ college football analyst Matt Leinart addressed the pivotal choice heading into Saturday’s marquee Big Ten clash between Ohio State and Indiana.
“Ryan Day stands out among college coaches,” Leinart noted during Week 7’s Big Noon kickoff. “His historic national championship adds star power, yet I favor Curt Cignetti for the Hoosiers.”
Cignetti’s impact is evident, as the 2024 campaign saw Indiana transform into a winning machine, achieving a 33‑2 record under his leading thumb. The coach captured back‑to‑back National Coach of the Year awards, secured playoff appearances both years, and completed a six‑game streak against elite opposition, including Ohio State in last fall’s Big Ten Championship Game.
Before Cignetti arrived, Indiana languished as the worst‑ranked program in its history; today, the Hoosiers sit atop conference honors, having been crowned defending national champions after leading the charge to a former‑year rivalry upset.
Following a reshuffle at other schools (IUP, Elon, James Madison), Cigratti assumed the head coach role at Indiana in 2024 to take over a roster that had suffered 27 defeats across its previous 36 contests. In striking turnaround mode, he rapidly upgraded the program to a dominant force almost overnight.
The 2024 season concluded early when the Hoosiers earned a College Football Playoff berth. That momentum persisted into 2025, extending to a flawless 16‑0 campaign and a first‑ever national title, capped by a decisive 16‑1 victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
Statistical contrasts highlight why both squads are compelling. Indiana secures the second‑best attendance rate in the league, outranking Ohio State at 46 % in conference scoring, with a top‑three attack measuring 462.7 yards per game and a stingy defense allowing just 11.8 points per contest. By contrast, Ohio State leads the Big Ten in total offense at 503.5 yards per contest and ranks among the highest scorers at 42.7 points per game, while still anchoring the conference defensively beside Indiana.
