“What we did yesterday doesn’t mean squat”: IU football aims to avoid letdown against Michigan State
- Josh Pos
- 2h ago
Last Saturday, IU football reached new heights with a statement road win against a top-five opponent, vaulting to No. 3 in both polls — its highest ranking in program history.
But for Curt Cignetti, it was business as usual — just another day in the season’s routine.
No theatrics followed the exhilarating 30-20 victory against Oregon at Autzen Stadium. Instead, there was a brief locker room celebration, a flight home and an off day on Sunday.
By Monday morning, it was almost as if the biggest win in program history hadn’t happened. Michigan State was next and Cignetti refused to let past success cloud his team’s focus.
“What we did yesterday doesn’t mean squat,” Cignetti said. “Next week’s news will be primarily determined by what we do today, tomorrow, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and then obviously Saturday from 3:30 to 6:00, from play one to 150.”
For most coaches, the fear of complacency carrying over into the following week hangs over the locker room.
Michigan State is a team that can easily be overlooked, especially after a big win. Its blowout home loss to a now-surging UCLA team was the third straight for the Spartans.
Aware of a general overlook of Michigan State, Cignetti is fighting the distractions that it may present.
Staying true to his roots, Cignetti has been meticulous and intentional in everything he has said over the past 23 months. The fiery persona got the attention of college football. However, this year, he sends indirect messages to the team through his Monday meetings with the media.
Cignetti carefully selected every word of his opening statement so his players would understand the goal for the week.
“Rip off the rearview mirror, so to speak,” he proclaimed. “Total focus on Michigan State.”
From his opening press conference to the present day, Cignetti has consistently emphasized the importance of avoiding complacency day by day.
The talking point has become second nature for those in the program.
The speeches aren’t necessary anymore. Each player knows that the win against Oregon is in the past and that the team controls its own destiny this week.
“It was a big win,” junior defensive back D’Angelo Ponds said Tuesday. “We enjoyed it for that week, but we’re on to the next.”
Undivided attention is always necessary against a conference opponent – especially one that scored 10 unanswered points to start last year’s game.
Indiana eventually responded with 47 straight points en route to a 37-point win in East Lansing. Still, it showed the Hoosiers weren’t ready to play from the start.
The game at Spartan Stadium last year came the week after College GameDay visited Bloomington. Comfort set in and the Hoosiers were caught flat-footed for much of the first half.
This year, with national attention at an all-time high, Indiana will have to wage its next battle against complacency.
“Every team you face in the Big Ten, the margin for error is very slim,” Cignetti said. “We have to have a great day today, great meeting, great practice, and stack days and then put it on the field.”
Cignetti’s unofficial mantra — that the next game is the most important because it’s the next one — continues to rub off on his players. Whether it’s a veteran like Aiden Fisher, who has played for Cignetti for four years, or a newcomer like Roman Hemby, who’s just adopting the philosophy, the buy-in is complete.
“We’re attacking this game just as if it’s our Super Bowl,” Hemby said. “It’s our next game and it’s the next opportunity to showcase our talents.”
His comparison is far greater than a regular-season conference game in October, but the point remains the same. Indiana is going to control what it can while staying humble and hungry.
Last Saturday’s win undeniably put the Hoosiers in the driver’s seat for a second consecutive College Football Playoff berth. It also positioned them for a trip to their first-ever Big Ten Championship game.
With six games remaining, Indiana has a bevy of opportunities at its fingertips.
Doubt has vanished and the program has finally stepped into the spotlight it has long pursued.
Saturday presents another chance for Indiana to win its weekly battle with complacency. A win would mark one more step forward in a season defined not by moments — but by the routine that follows them.
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