Indiana’s Curt Cignetti Praises UCLA Ahead of Key Matchup

The Bruins are putting even one of the top teams in the nation on notice ahead of their Week 9 matchup.

Sep 14, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts after the game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The UCLA Bruins (3-4, 3-1 Big Ten) are putting even the biggest coaches and best college football teams on notice amid a 3-0 turnaround, which culminated after a gritty 20-17 win over Maryland this Saturday.

Up next, Tim Skipper and his Bruins have a FOX Big Noon Kickoff clash with the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, who employ arguably the best coach in the nation. Curt Cignetti isn't taking UCLA lightly, so much so that he doesn't evaluate the Bruins beyond their last three games.

"UCLA. We're playing a 3-0 football team that's undefeated. That's 3-0 in the conference," Cignetti said to open up his Monday media availability. "Since they have retooled their staff and now have their new defensive coordinator and offensive staff in place, very impressive football team."

The Hoosiers coach went on to briefly break down UCLA on both sides of the ball.

Oct 18, 2025; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti watches his team prior to the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images | Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

On the Bruins' Offense:

• "Offensively, this team is rushing for 233 yards a game right now. In their last three games, which would be against Penn State, Michigan State and Maryland. Time of possession: 36 and a half minutes. That means the other team has the ball for 23 and a half minutes.

• "Fifty percent on third down, 70 percent on fourth down. They've gained two possessions with two fake punts. So, they're keeping the ball away from the other team. They're starting fast, outscoring people in the first half, 58-17, averaging 33 points a game."

Oct 11, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive linemen celebrate a touchdown with running back Jaivian Thomas (21) in the third quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images | Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images

On the Bruins' Defense:

• "And defense, a lot of different personnel packages. Really try to keep you off balance. Really impressed with what they do. When you get outside of normal down and distance situations, you see a lot of stuff. They got about seven personnel packages, a variety of blitzes, pre-snap looks with linebackers mugged to try to confuse the quarterback a little bit."

Michigan State's head coach Jonathan Smith, right, talks with UCLA's interim head coach Tim Skipper before the football game on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

On the Bruins and Nico Iamaelava Overall:

• "They're a rejuvenated football team. Led by a talented quarterback who really has a quick body and a live arm. Has made some big plays with his legs, also. Really good skill people and a new offensive design, so to speak. I mean, we're playing a 3-0 football team at home this Saturday at 12 o'clock."

UCLA's Nico Iamaleava throws a pass against Michigan State during the third quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Coverage of the matchup begins at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday on FOX, and the Bruins kick off against a dominant Hoosiers squad at 12 p.m. ET in Bloomington, Indiana.

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