Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers usher in a new era under Curt Cignetti on Tuesday as they open up fall practice heading into the 2024 regular season. Cignetti takes over a program that won just nine games from 2021-2023 after winning 24 the previous four seasons (2017-2020). There are plenty of storylines in Bloomington. Here are the ones we are keeping a close eye on:

1. Unstoppable Force (Cignetti) vs. Immovable Object (IUFB History)

Curt Cignetti has been abundantly clear, he is here to win football games because that is what he has done every where he has been. The 63-year old head coach has never had a losing season in his career while the Hoosiers football program has had just two winning seasons since 2008. The Hoosiers roster is set up to win games immediately and the schedule follows suit.

Cignetti stared down his and the program’s detractors at Big Ten Media Days with bold comments and confidence that has not been seen on the football field in Bloomington since at least the Bill Mallory Era. It’ll be fascinating which moves first, Cignetti’s history or IU’s football history.

2. Experienced Roster that is Set Up to Win Now

After just nine wins since the start of 2021 and a roster that has almost completely turned over, it is understandable why those outside of the IU football program picked the Hoosiers to finish at or near the bottom of the conference. However, Cignetti and his staff have done a fantastic job of putting together an experienced and productive roster that should be able to help the Hoosiers win games early in Cignetti’s tenure.

The Hoosiers bring in former MAC offensive player of the year in quarterback Kurtis Rourke, several impact receivers, including 1,000-yard performer Elijah Surratt and several high performers on defense including freshman All-American D’Angelo Ponds and FCS All-American Cedarius Doss.

This kind of roster turnaround is much easier with the transfer portal and the ability to bring in veteran players with experience.

3. The “New Indiana”

It has been a buzz word with recruits and the theme of a lot of Cignetti’s comments. What exactly is the “New Indiana”. We’ll find out on the field in just 31 days. However, it is beginning to take shape off the field as IU has resurfaced the indoor practice field, repositioned the student section in the stadium and moved ‘Hep’s Rock’ to the east side of the stadium to play a more prominent role in the game day experience. IU is also renovating the concourses and brought in an outside vendor to help jump start the their food and beverage services. Off the field it has meant doing what Big Ten football programs should be doing.

4. Cignetti has Talked the Talk, Now it is Time to Walk the Walk

No, I am not talking about just walking into the stadium during ‘The Walk’. Curt Cignetti has talked a great game. He told 17,000 fans at Assembly Hall that Purdue, Michigan and Ohio State all suck on his first day on the job. He told the people at Big Ten Media Days that it was BS and that his expectations are to be the best in the Big Ten. That’s all great to create some juice around a program that has been on life support.

However, it is time to back it up. Success has been fleeting in Bloomington and it should be remembered that no matter who has been talking recently, success is not guaranteed. Kevin Wilson called out radio hosts and fans, but never had a winning season in Bloomington. ‘LEO’ was a rallying cry when the Hoosiers were going to back-to-back January bowl games, but became the butt of jokes as IU went 9-27 over the last three seasons.

This is not the first time IU football has had momentum, but will it be the first time in a long time that IU can capitalize on it. For that to happen Cignetti must walk the walk and win games.

5. IU-Purdue Rivalry Heating Up?

In his first appearance in front of fans Curt Cignetti told them “Purdue sucks”. Everyone went nuts and Purdue football took note. There seems to be more chatter between the two rivals in 2024 than there has been in a while on the football side of things. Purdue has won the last three Old Oaken Bucket games. While it is not the only game on IU’s schedule, it does make the football culture to trade jabs with the Boilermakers. It makes for better theater and like Cignetti said last week, football is the entertainment business.

Ultimately, the vitriol in a rivalry is usually determined by how competitive is has been in recent memory. IU needs to climb back into the football side of the rivalry and make the Old Oaken Bucket Game a ‘must attend’ event (Purdue has even on Thanksgiving weekend).

The Hoosiers open the 2024 season at home against the FIU Golden Panthers. Tickets are available on Seat Geek and new customers gert $20 off with the Code HoosierHuddle.

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