Cowherd Says Mendoza, Not Cignetti, Built Indiana's Title Run
Authored by zh-ayx-sports.com, Nov 13, 2026
Cowherd Says Mendoza, Not Cignetti, Built Indiana's Title Run
Colin Cowherd argued Wednesday that Indiana coach Curt Cignetti received an outsized share of credit for the Hoosiers' national championship, saying former quarterback Fernando Mendoza deserved at least half the praise. Speaking on "The Herd," Cowherd said Indiana's offense has struggled without Mendoza, who now starts for the Las Vegas Raiders.
"Under Curt Cignetti, the offense is a BB gun without Fernando Mendoza," Cowherd said. "He's a really, really good coach. But he's not [Nick] Saban." Cowherd disclosed that he works for a company with a financial stake in the Big Ten before adding that he believes the Cignetti narrative has been "a little overplayed," estimating the coach received "about 90% of the credit" for the title despite Mendoza's role. curling betting online
Cowherd acknowledged Cignetti's 35-3 record since taking over the program but drew a distinction with Saban's Alabama teams, saying Cignetti "sets a very high floor foundationally and culturally" while Mendoza "was the ceiling." He also cited Indiana's performance against ranked opponents, saying the Hoosiers averaged 38 points and won by three touchdowns on average with Mendoza at quarterback, compared with an 0-3 record and 15 points per game without him, including this season. Cowherd further criticized Cignetti's offensive approach as "super conservative" compared with Saban's and suggested the 16-0 championship team "could have easily lost five games" without Mendoza under center.
The comments came as Indiana, the defending national champion, prepares to host No. 18 USC on Saturday. The Hoosiers dropped five spots to No. 9 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings during their bye week. Cowherd said he would not be surprised if USC wins, citing the Trojans' offensive firepower, and added that he views Georgia, Notre Dame and Miami as the only teams currently capable of winning the national championship this season.