Indiana Football Accused of Cheating as Wild Social Media Rumor Spreads

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By Shane Shoemaker

Updated Jan 10, 2026 at 4:56pm

Indiana Hoosiers football

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A wild internet rumor has surfaced about the legitimacy of Indiana's playoff run.

The Indiana Hoosiers are in the midst of the best season in program history. With a 56-22 win over the Oregon Ducks in the Peach Bowl, Indiana is headed to play for the College Football Playoff national championship against the Miami Hurricanes on January 19.

Head coach Curt Cignetti has built a powerhouse in just two seasons, leading the Hoosiers to back-to-back playoff appearances. It is difficult to overstate how remarkable the turnaround has been for a football program that spent most of its history on the fringes of relevance.

Before Cignetti’s arrival, Indiana’s best season came in 1967, when the Hoosiers finished 9-2 and ranked No. 4 nationally. Over the past two seasons, Indiana is 26-2 and now one win away from completing an undefeated campaign and capturing a national championship.

“They entered this year as the losingest CFB program of all time,” The Athletic’s Chris Vannini said. “This is the most stunning turnaround in American sports history.”

With such a dramatic rise, however, has come skepticism — including some wild internet rumors attempting to explain Indiana’s dominant run.

Indiana Football Accused of Cheating on Social Media

The Hoosiers have overwhelmed opponents throughout the playoff. Indiana first dismantled Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl before demolishing Oregon in the Peach Bowl, outscoring its playoff opponents by a combined 94-25.

During the Peach Bowl, CBS Sports’ Bud Elliott suggested Indiana’s preparation stood out.

“Indiana is so buttoned up it’s almost like they know your plays. Crazy scouting is unreal,” Elliott said.

Fox Sports analyst Chris Fallica echoed that sentiment.

“It’s almost like Indiana knows what play or look is coming almost every down. They are so well prepped,” Fallica said.

An X user, @GoatKiffin, quote-tweeted Fallica’s post and made a far more serious accusation.

“Not only has Indiana been hacking into the VEO/Pixellot software to watch practice film of other teams, but they have infiltrated most cloud-based systems which teams keep their game plans on,” the user wrote. “This includes opening scripts (funny they jumped the first route today and returned it for a pick six). They know every sign and every variation the coaches on opposing teams plan for.”

Veo and Pixellot are automated, AI-powered camera systems commonly used by college and high school programs to record practices and games without a camera operator. The platforms automatically track action and upload video to cloud-based libraries where coaches and players can review film and create clips.

Indiana Cheating Rumor Gains Traction, but No Evidence Exists

While the accusation originated from a social media account with a modest following, the claim is gaining traction.

“I have no idea if Indiana is actually cheating, but Miami might want to find an off-the-grid place to practice, like Area 51, and not upload anything into any cloud just in case,” Locked On Canes host Alex Donno said. “Lock it down like it’s 1983.”

Donno was referencing Miami’s national championship win over Nebraska during the 1983 season.

CanesInsight contributor Mike Ryan Ruiz also weighed in, emphasizing caution rather than accusation.

“Enough stuff is out there, whether it’s true or not,” Ruiz said. “You can count on Miami being wise to the hearsay and accounting for it. Spot the ball.”

There is currently no evidence supporting the allegations, and no indication of wrongdoing by Indiana. As of now, the claims remain unsubstantiated internet rumors tied to a historic run that has pushed the Hoosiers into the national spotlight.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5820526&forum_id=2/#49579577)