Undefeated Hoosiers Are Headed To The Peach Bowl

Hoosier Football Remains Undefeated; Big Ten Well Represented

They said the Big Ten couldn't compete with the SEC. They said Indiana couldn't compete with the big football schools and their five-star recruits. Well, they were all wrong! Indiana defeated Alabama 38-3 in a historic win at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was historic in that it was the fewest points allowed by any team in a Rose Bowl game since Washington shut out Iowa in 1982. In a surprise twist, but certainly earned, the offensive MVP award for the Rose Bowl went to Notre Dame transfer Pat Coogan, and the entire IU offensive line. While haters continue to state the Big Ten doesn't belong in the CFP (College Football Playoff), it's hard to argue when two of the final four teams are from the Big Ten Conference (Oregon and IU). The other Big Ten representative, the two-seed Ohio State Buckeyes, unfortunately, also set a CFP record, losing 24-14 to the 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes in the Cotton Bowl. The loss marks the biggest point-spread upset in history since the CFP era began (Miami was a 9.5-point underdog).

Coach Cignetti's Alabama History and Money-Making Future

Everyone who loves college football is aware of Alabama's winning tradition. 18 national titles is an incredible feat, and with six of those under Nick Saban, it's safe to say he's been one of the most revolutionary coaches in college football history. In fact, every coach left in the CFP is a former Saban assistant at Alabama. Coach Cignetti was the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Alabama from 2007 to 2010. With the win over Alabama, Cignetti gets an automatic $700,000 bonus. Based on Big Ten/CFP incentives, Cignetti has added $1.875 million to his earnings this season. Currently the 18th-highest-paid coach, winning the semi-final has triggered a Good Faith Market Review clause that Cignetti has in his contract. The clause allows Cignetti to require IU to renegotiate his pay up to no less than the third-highest paid among active coaches. A well-earned and deserved review in my book.

What's Next For The Indiana Hoosiers?

The 12 best college football teams have competed. Only the four best in the country remain. The CFP semi-finals preparation is being executed as you read this. The number one-seeded Hoosiers will take on Big Ten rivals, the five-seeded Oregon Ducks, in the Peach Bowl on January 9 in Atlanta. On the other side of the bracket, six-seeded Ole Miss will take on the ten-seeded Miami Hurricanes on January 8 in the Fiesta Bowl. Winners from each semi-final match will play in the national championship on January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. All games can be watched on ESPN or via ESPN streaming services.

Fans celebrate a Hoosier touchdown at Roca Bar Evansville:

Check out these highlights from the IU vs. Alabama game: