Indiana's Curt Cignetti joins SEC debate at Big Ten Media Days

[ASFN Admin]

The debate over the best conference in college football has been a major topic of conversation at Big Ten Media Days this week, and reigning national championship coach Curt Cignetti has inserted himself into the discourse.

The Indiana coach referenced that discussion during his press conference on Thursday, explaining succinctly what he thinks illustrates the difference between the two leagues.

"We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest," Cignetti said. "We believe everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say we fell short. We don't cry a river and whine and complain. All right, and that's why we're the best."

Curt Cignetti walk-off quote at Big Ten Media Days: "We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest. We believe everything is earned, not given. When we fall short, we say we fell short. We don't cry a river and whine and complain. All right, and that's why we're the best."

— Bill Bender (@BillBender92) July 30, 2026

The Big Ten certainly has a valid argument. The Hoosiers became the third consecutive (and unique) Big Ten team to win a championship this past season after the SEC had previously won 13 of 17 national titles from 2006-22.

Now, Cignetti has thrown even more fuel on the fire with his recent shots at the SEC.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Indiana's Curt Cignetti joins SEC debate at Big Ten Media Days

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