Steve Alford’s reaction to the Hoosiers’ historic drive

ByNBAUSA



Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers have reached a place few imaginedand one of the school’s most famous figures is paying attention, even if he is careful with labels.

During a recent press conference, former Indiana basketball legend and current Nevada head coach Steve Alford was asked a question that would have sounded absurd just a few years ago – “Is Indiana a football school now?” Alford, who played for the Hoosiers under Bob Knight and led Indiana to the 1987 national championship, offered honest and reflective answer.

“Well, I don’t know about that,” Alford said, via Nevada Sports Net’s Mike Stephenson . “The Hoosiers, I’m not saying that, but the Hoosiers play Natty on Monday night. And just so you know, if that happens, it’s 16-0 undefeated, which has never happened in football. And the last undefeated basketball team was the ’76 Hoosiers. So one basketball school, my school, could hold one basketball school and that stuff in the Hoosiers. Monday.”

Alford’s words carried weight because of his history with the program. Born and raised in Indiana, he was a two-time consensus All-American, the Indiana Mr. Basketball, and the school’s all-time leading scorer. His career is deeply tied to the Hoosiers’ basketball identity, which makes his recognition of football’s rise especially meaningful.

now, Indiana football stands on the edge of history. The undefeated Hoosiers (15-0) will face Mario Cristobal Miami Hurricanes (13-2) in the College Football Playoff National Championship January 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. A win would cap a perfect 16-0 season — something Indiana football has never accomplished.

Miami’s road to the title game was just as incredible. Entering the CFP as the 10th seed, the Hurricanes upset the Texas A&M Aggies, stunned defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes, and powered past Ole Miss Rebels 31-27 in the semifinals.

Indiana, meanwhile, dominated Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks 52-22 to earn his ticketsecuring a championship game that shuts out the SEC entirely. The game also carries wider implications. Indiana and Miami both have their first CFP titles, while the Big Ten and ACC continue to reshape national landscape in an expanded 12-team format.

For Alford, the moment is not about redefining Indiana’s identity — it’s about appreciating greatness. One school potentially holding both the last undefeated champion in basketball and the first undefeated champion in football would be unprecedented.

And as Monday night approaches, Indiana football has a chance to turn a once-unthinkable question into a permanent part of college sports history.





2026-01-12 07:24:00

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