CFP National Championship takeaways: Indiana Hoosiers cap greatest story college football's ever told

Gutsy Curt Cignetti cements legacy

Mendoza's incredible play was only possible because of bold decisions from Cignetti, everyone's favorite beer-guzzling curmudgeon. Facing a 4th-and-5 from Miami's 37-yard line early in the fourth quarter, he kept the offense on the field, and Mendoza found breakout sophomore wideout Charlie Becker for a 19-yard gain.

Four plays later, he decided against a 29-yard field goal attempt on a 4th-and-4 from the 12-yard line, setting up Mendoza's heroics.

Much has already been written and said about the job Cignetti's done in turning around Indiana, a perennial loser, and making it the best in the country in just two seasons. Those two plays offer insight into his remarkable effort. In the biggest moments, Cignetti trusted his players to make plays. That empowerment paid off in a massive way.

Charlie Becker stays clutch

Since being given an extended opportunity when Elijah Sarratt suffered a hamstring injury in early November, Becker hasn't looked back. The sophomore wideout's breakout second half of the season continued with a great championship game performance, finishing with four receptions for 65 yards. In addition to his huge fourth-down catch early in the fourth quarter, he was responsible for a massive third-down conversion later in the quarter, helping set up a field goal for the six-point lead.

Over his final seven games, Becker had 27 receptions, 522 yards and three touchdowns, setting him up to arguably be transfer quarterback Josh Hoover's best friend next season.

Malachi Toney's big game

Toney's future is somehow even brighter than Becker's. The sensational freshman was arguably Miami's best offensive player — running back Mark Fletcher Jr. also deserves consideration for that title — ending the game with 10 receptions, 122 yards and a touchdown that kept things interesting in the fourth quarter.

Toney capped his first collegiate season with 109 receptions, 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns, setting a standard we won't be shocked to see him surpass in the years to come.

Big Ten leaves no doubt

Different year, same result. The SEC had a nice run, yet it's clear which conference runs the sport. For the third consecutive season, the Big Ten has the last team standing in the CFP, solidifying itself as the preeminent college football conference. 

It's one thing for Michigan and Ohio State, two traditional powers, to win titles with loaded rosters. But Indiana steamrolling through the competition all year speaks to the Big Ten's depth. It's won three consecutive national titles for the first time since 1940-42. We aren't about to doubt it will make it four.