Indiana steamrolls their way into the college football championship

Bennett Bommersbach, Journalist • January 21, 2026

REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Gary A. Vasquez

Jan 1, 2026; Pasadena, CA, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) and running back Roman Hemby (1) celebrate after defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Rose Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Indiana looks to cap off historic season following their dominant win versus Oregon in the Peach Bowl on January 9th.

The Indiana Hoosiers have been nothing short of spectacular. The Hoosiers went undefeated at 15-0 and claimed the Big Ten title over Ohio State with a 13-10 victory on December 6th. The team averaged over 42 points per game while only allowing 11. With a total offense of 461 yards per game and a turnover differential of +21, Indiana has exposed teams en route to the championship game.

Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza wins the Heisman Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Todd Van Emst/Heisman Trust via Imagn Images (REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Todd Van Emst.

The Hoosiers are led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. After transferring from the University of California, Mendoza immediately took control of the Hoosiers offense. In just his first season with the program, Mendoza has proved everyone wrong. Throwing for 41 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions, giving him the best quarterback rating in all of college football.

The man that made this all happen, head coach Curt Cignetti. He turned a diminishing program into a powerhouse in just two years. When Cignetti took over for Indiana, the Hoosiers just came off a 3-9 season, taking dead last in the Big Ten conference. In his first year with Indiana, he took them to the college football playoff finishing 11-2. They ended up losing in the first round, but hope was restored throughout the entire program. Cignetti has done the unthinkable, and could cement himself as one of the greatest ever with just one more win.

Following the win that secured Indian’s spot in the championship, Cignetti had this to say.

Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) leaves the field following the College Football Playoff game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images (REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Raymond Carlin III)

Indiana’s historic run will all come down to college footballs biggest stage. #1 Indiana will face off against #10 Miami on Monday, Janurary 19th. The game will be played in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. A matchup that puts the Hoosiers on the doorstep of the programs first national title.