Crazy Fernando Mendoza stat shows how dominant Indiana QB has been in CFP

Indiana's 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl on Friday night was mostly a tale of two quarterbacks. On one side, Oregon's Dante Moore struggled badly and was overwhelmed by a swarming Indiana defense. On the other hand was Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza for Indiana.

He not only played like the Heisman Trophy winner, but he played like the eventual No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the best player in college football.

It was not only a sensational performance in this particular game to send the Hoosiers to the national championship game against the Miami Hurricanes, but it continued what has been an unbelievable College Football Playoff performance overall for Indiana's quarterback.

Crazy stat shows how dominant Fernando Mendoza has been

Mendoza completed 17-of-20 passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns in Friday's win over Oregon to send the Hoosiers to the National Championship game. It was his third five-touchdown performance of the season, and his sixth game with at least four touchdowns.

Combined with his performance in the Rose Bowl, where he completed 14-of-16 passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, he has now thrown for more touchdowns in the CFP (eight) than he has incomplete passes (five).

That almost seems impossible to achieve at any level of football, against any level of competition. 

Considering that he has done that against two top-10 teams (Oregon and Alabama), it is a mind-blowing performance. Mendoza has put up big numbers consistently all season, but there was always a question of the level of competition and the strength of Indiana's schedule. 

Given that Indiana has now beaten Oregon twice, Ohio State and Alabama, there can no longer be any question about the validity of their dominance or Mendoza's level of play. Especially his most recent play. He is the biggest reason that Indiana should be massive favorites in the National Championship game. There is nobody else playing at his level at any position right now on either team.