Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has criticized ESPN for what he describes as preferential treatment of the Southeastern Conference over the Big Ten, according to a report by Stephen Douglas on The Big Lead published Thursday.
The accusation adds to ongoing debate about media coverage disparities between college football's two most prominent conferences. Cignetti, who led Indiana to a 10-0 start this season, did not provide specific examples in the reported remarks.
The Big Lead article, dated November 5, 2026, highlights the growing tension between Big Ten programs and national media outlets regarding playoff selection narratives and weekly coverage allocation.
