When Steve Sarkisian, the longtime coach of the Texas Longhorns, recently sat down to discuss the evolving landscape of college football scheduling, he turned his attention to a surprising source of inspiration: Indiana’s head coach Curt Cignetti. Sarkisian praised the rapid rise of the Hoosiers, who transformed from a three‑win team into a national champion in just two seasons, and explained why their unconventional approach is sparking a broader conversation about how teams set their calendars.
Cignetti’s tenure at Indiana has been marked by a deliberate focus on building depth through the transfer portal and by crafting a schedule that prioritizes winnable non‑conference matchups. In the past two seasons the Hoosiers have avoided power‑conference opponents outside the Big Ten, instead stacking games against Group of Six programs such as North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky for the 2025 season.
The Equity Debate
Sarkisian used the discussion to call for greater equity in scheduling, arguing that teams which confront tougher opponents deserve recognition comparable to those that compile impressive win totals against softer competition. He noted that a weak schedule should not automatically disqualify a team from playoff contention if it finishes the season with a strong record.
The conversation also touched on recent moves by Indiana, including the decision to pull out of a planned series with Virginia that was slated to begin in September 2027. Cignetti defended the withdrawal, stating that the scheduling philosophy predates his arrival and that the program remains committed to its core principles.
While the strength‑of‑schedule debate continues to swirl around the College Football Playoff, Sarkisian emphasized that teams with demanding calendars risk injury and fatigue without a commensurate reward if the playoff committee does not value those efforts appropriately.
The ripple effect of Indiana’s model is already evident, as analysts and coaches across the nation begin to question long‑standing assumptions about what a rigorous schedule looks like and how it should be weighed in postseason evaluations.