After Indiana swept to the national championship, many programs sought to copy their wildly successful model that propelled an NCAA record-tying 16-0 season.
Teams like Ohio State and LSU bought in completely to the Grown Man Theory, thinking that the secret of the Hoosiers success lay in bringing in a bunch of transfers. Indiana boasted 47 players who were 23 or older, only two years younger on average than the Green Bay Packers.
So the Tigers and the Buckeyes have loaded their 2026 rosters with experience, while many coaches are seeking to follow the IU blueprint. Some FANS go so far as to believe high school recruiting doesn't matter anymore, that "the portal cures all." In his first season with the Tigers Lane Kiffin has brought in 40 transfers, including quarterback Sam Leavitt, left tackle Jordan Seaton and edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, all with premium NIL deals.
Fundamentals, coaching and commitment mean more than shortcuts
The problem with this thinking is that maturity, while important, comprised only one part of the Curt Cignetti success story. He married that experience to superb evaluation, discipline, organization, preparation, film study and execution. He and his staff put together the best TEAM in college football. It was far from a collection of high-priced stars or guys who had merely been in college for a long time.
The Cignetti formula is grounded in great coaching and fundamentals. To beat the Hoosiers or keep them from winning another Big Ten title, the Ducks and the rest of the conference are better off seeking to copy the execution and preparation. Merely leaning on the portal won't do by itself.
Dan Lanning and the Ducks have assembled a roster that's a terrific blend of returning players, homegrown talent, high school players with exceptional potential (Jalen Lott, Immanuel Iheanacho, Jett Washington.) This program has the blend of leadership, talent and experience to compete with anyone. Lanning's built the team on core values rather than looking for quick fixes.