Curt Cignetti trashes ESPN over SEC bias in new interview

Tim Brando joined Dan Dakich on 'Don't @ Me' to discuss Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's recent comments accusing ESPN of favoring the SEC over the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The longtime college football commentator, who has worked for multiple networks, pushed back on the idea that broadcasters are deliberately slanting coverage.

"In general terms, the broadcasters are not consciously doing something that's not right," Brando explained.

Brando, a Shreveport, Louisiana native, knows the SEC well.

He argued that the bias, if it exists, is more subconscious than intentional.

"You live in this bubble," he said.

"And all of a sudden you start talking about the 'league that's yours.' And the 'league that's yours' that they cover is the SEC."

Cignetti made his comments on his weekly radio show with Don Fischer on Wednesday night.

"SEC gets a lot of love from ESPN and all their writers that they don't technically pay but march to their drum," Cignetti said.

"And that's why you see all these SEC teams up there and some good two-loss teams from the Big Ten not quite as high."

The first edition of the 2026 College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday night.

Indiana landed at No. 4, despite being the reigning national champions coming off a 16-0 season.

The Hoosiers are 8-1 this year, with their only loss at home to Ohio State on Oct. 17.

The committee's initial top 25 included 10 SEC teams and six from the Big Ten.

Five SEC teams appeared in the top 12, compared to just three Big Ten teams.

Two-loss Alabama opened at No. 5 and two-loss Texas at No. 7.

Meanwhile, two-loss Big Ten teams sat lower: Ohio State at No. 12, Iowa at No. 19 and USC at No. 20.

Cignetti pointed to the gap between his team and Ohio State as evidence of the bias.

The Buckeyes were ranked eight spots behind Indiana, a gap tied in part to Ohio State's loss to USC and the absence of starting quarterback Julian Sayin, who left the Oct. 17 game with a shoulder injury.

"One other thing I'd like to say, because a lot of people are bashing our rating, we lost t" — Cignetti's full statement was cut off in the source material.

Brando, however, did not agree that the Big Ten has a legitimate grievance.

"I think the Big 12 and the ACC both do [have a gripe]," Brando told Dakich.

"They both have contracts with ESPN, and they get summarily dissed."

He went on to say the Big 12 is more competitive than the Big Ten, though not necessarily better overall.

Brando was clear that there is no coordinated effort from ESPN.

"I think sometimes it can be a subconscious thing," he said.

The comment drew sharp reactions from NFL fans on social media.

"Lmao this guy does nothing but whine and run from any real competition," one fan wrote on Sportskeeda.

"He would've never won a natty if he had to coach in a real conference like the SEC."

"Ironic coming from the most undeserving 4 spot the sport has ever seen," another fan said.

"The Big 10 is so bad this year."

"Coming from a coach whose team is ranked high but has yet to record a convincing win and consistently struggles against bad teams is hilarious," wrote another.

"Maybe take a look in the mirror before crying SEC bias."

"They haven't beaten a team worth anything and are in the top 5," a fan added.

"Bro could only score 1 offensive touchdown against garbage Michigan and he's worried about the SEC," another wrote.

Cignetti's comments came in the middle of a season where Indiana is defending its national title.

Barstool Sports' coverage framed the situation as an unfortunate reality of modern college football.

"As an Indiana fan who's morally obligated to back all things Curt Cignetti does and ever will do, I hate that this is a part of college football," the Barstool writer said.

"I hate that Curt Cignetti probably feels like it's his job to go on the campaign trail for his team in the middle of the season, because they could wind up with their fate in the hands of this fucking guy."

The writer argued that coaches cannot trust the selection committee to watch every game.

Most committee members have real jobs as athletic directors of major institutions.

"So you know that, on some level, their opinions will be influenced by the national media's narrative," the writer said.