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Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) and Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) hold their trophies after the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

CFP takeaways: Indiana has arrived as national power with dismantling of Oregon in Peach Bowl

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 9:06 AM ET

When the 2025 NCAA football season, began the Indiana Hoosiers were the losing-est program in college football history. When the 2025 season concludes, they might be National Champions and one of the best single-season teams of the modern era. Maybe of all time.

They took another step toward that championship on Friday night with an absolutely dominant 56-22 win over Oregon in the Peach Bowl, punching their ticket to the National Championship Game.

They will play the Miami Hurricanes for the chance to win their first national title in program history. Here are some key takeaways from Friday's win.

Indiana made its statement from the very beginning

There should not have been any doubt about Indiana's ability coming into this game. The Hoosiers were already 14-0 on the season, the only undefeated team in the nation and were coming off an emphatic dismantling of Alabama in the Rose Bowl. That win came after beating previously No. 1-ranked Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.

This, however, might have been their most impressive statement of them all.

Indiana fans flooded Mercedes-Benz Stadium and turned it into a home game, and then on the first play from scrimmage, D'Angelo Ponds picked off a Dante Moore pass and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown.

INDIANA PICK-SIX ON DANTE MOORE ON THE FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME pic.twitter.com/BGR1OeahyH
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2026

The beatdown never stopped after that.

Indiana's defense was relentless against Moore, forcing turnovers and disrupting Oregon's offense, while the Hoosiers offense never slowed down no matter how big the league became on the scoreboard.

It was impressive. It was emphatic.

Indiana should be massive favorite over Miami

The Hurricanes have more than proved they belong in the playoffs and have earned their way to the championship game. They will be a formidable opponent for the Hoosiers, and they have the added luxury of playing in their home stadium. They have a top-tier defense and a defensive line that can take over a game.

All of that will be helpful.

It still might not be enough.

Given the way Indiana has absolutely throttled every top team it has played this season — and playoffs — it is just really hard to imagine anybody beating the Hoosiers this season. Especially when they have a sizable advantage at quarterback with Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza playing nearly flawless football in the playoffs.

Carson Beck has been a nice redemption story with Miami.

Mendoza has been the best player in college football this season and playing his best football right now.

Indiana has outscored two playoff teams by a 94-25 margin so far. There appears to be no stopping the Hoosiers, and the odds should reflect that going in.

Curt Cignetti's Indiana legend continues to grow

Curt Cignetti has only been at Indiana for two seasons, and he is already the best football coach in the history of the program. He is already a giant in program history. Not only has he taken the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff in each of his first two years with the program, but he now has them one win away from a national title and has already won 26 games in those two years.

He has a real chance to win a 27th.

Just to put that number into perspective, Indiana only won 28 games in the six seasons prior to his arrival.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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