When Indiana won its first national championship in program history, the Hoosiers shattered college football's permission structure. Fans could always hope. Now, Indiana gave fans of lovable losers permission to believe.

Who cares about history? That matters less than ever.

That should be good news for a few programs inside the SEC.

On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether the "next Indiana" could be located inside the SEC. They highlight a few contenders, but perhaps none fits the profile better than Kentucky. The Wildcats have a doormat's history, but they're cooking in the transfer portal behind new coach Will Stein. You don't get to where Indiana got on a wish and a prayer, though. Programs like Kentucky, Arkansas and South Carolina must study how Curt Cignetti built this undefeated squad.

Later in the episode, the hosts discuss why no SEC schools made a hire from the Cignetti mold. Would a program like Auburn or Florida have been better off hiring an older coach with a longer track record?

When Indiana <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/19/indiana-football-national-championship-score-curt-cignetti-beats-miami-fernando-mendoza/88142094007/" aria-label="Link won its first national championship in program history">won its first national championship in program history</a>, the Hoosiers shattered college football's permission structure. Fans could always hope. Now, Indiana gave fans of lovable losers permission to believe.
Who cares about history? That matters <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2026/01/20/indiana-football-national-championship-fernando-mendoza-touchdown-run-fourth-down/88142099007/" aria-label="Link less than ever">less than ever</a>.
That should be good news for a few programs inside the SEC.
On today's episode, hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a> debate whether the "next Indiana" could be located inside the SEC. They highlight a few contenders, but perhaps none fits the profile better than Kentucky. The Wildcats have a doormat's history, but they're cooking in the transfer portal behind new coach Will Stein. You don't get to where Indiana got on a wish and a prayer, though. Programs like Kentucky, Arkansas and South Carolina must study how Curt Cignetti built this undefeated squad.
Later in the episode, the hosts discuss why no SEC schools made a hire from the Cignetti mold. Would a program like Auburn or Florida have been better off hiring an older coach with a longer track record?

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

When Indiana won its first national championship in program history, the Hoosiers shattered college football's permission structure. Fans could always hope. Now, Indiana gave fans of lovable losers permission to believe.  Who cares about history? That matters less than ever.  That should be good news for a few programs inside the SEC.  On today's episode, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams debate whether the "next Indiana" could be located inside the SEC. They highlight a few contenders, but perhaps none fits the profile better than Kentucky. The Wildcats have a doormat's history, but they're cooking in the transfer portal behind new coach Will Stein. You don't get to where Indiana got on a wish and a prayer, though. Programs like Kentucky, Arkansas and South Carolina must study how Curt Cignetti built this undefeated squad.  Later in the episode, the hosts discuss why no SEC schools made a hire from the Cignetti mold. Would a program like Auburn or Florida have been better off hiring an older coach with a longer track record?