Indiana’s Perfect Season Reaches New Heights After Peach Bowl Win

While Indiana dined on roasted Duck in Friday’s Peach Bowl, some of us were left eating crow.

It’s a dish with which I have become well-acquainted through this college football season, watching the Hoosiers not just win each of the 15 times they have taken the field, but repeatedly dominate.

Given Indiana was tabbed sixth in the preseason Big Ten Conference media poll, at least I know I’m not eating alone.

Having skepticism about the Hoosiers ahead of the season could be justified. Yes, Indiana made the College Football Playoff field in 2024, but did so with a resume bereft of marquee wins.

The Hoosiers played a remarkably soft schedule in 2024 and when faced with elite competition — specifically, national champion Ohio State and runner-up Notre Dame — were thoroughly outclassed. One could validate their doubt of Indiana then, but there’s no doubting the Hoosiers now.

Their 56-22 trouncing of Oregon in Atlanta gives Indiana wins over its Big Ten counterpart on both coasts, with the Hoosiers winning in Eugene on Oct. 11, 30-20. The two defeats of the Ducks make up 40 percent of Indiana’s impressive five wins over teams ranked in the final Playoff poll before the preseason and third in a row following the 13-10 Big Ten Championship grind against Ohio State and 38-3 depantsing of Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

In hindsight, the first of Indiana’s Top 25 wins foreshadowed what was to come for this team. Coming off a 63-10 decimation of Illinois the week prior, when the Illini were actually ranked in the AP Poll, the Hoosiers ran into proverbial quicksand at Iowa.

The Hawkeyes physical defense gave Indiana fits and sent the teams into the fourth quarter with Iowa ahead, 13-10. The Hoosiers ability to absorb the body blows the Hawkeyes dealt reflected the tough-as-leather aura head coach Curt Cignetti gives off in his general demeanor, and quarterback Fernando Mendoza delivered his early-season Heisman moment.

His 49-yard touchdown connection with Elijah Sarratt broke a 13-13 stalemate in the final 90 seconds and preserved Indiana’s perfect start. That was in September, less than midway into the schedule, and opponents have only played Indiana to within a single-digit margin twice since.

Add the Peach Bowl to that list of eight games and counting, which also doubled as an after-the-fact Heisman moment for Mendoza.

He received the award almost a month ago, but validated his selection with a sensational performance against Oregon, throwing more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (three). Mendoza completely wiped away any lingering doubt that may have been left from when he finished 20-of-31 and threw a pick-six in Eugene.

Mendoza’s play the second time around against Oregon lends credence to how linebacker Aiden Fisher described the Peach Bowl on Wednesday: A revenge game.

“We didn't play well in our first game against them,” Fisher told reporter. “I know a lot of people put it out as it's a revenge game for Oregon…but it's a revenge game for us, too.”

Fisher, who had a team-high nine tackles with 1.5 for loss and a pass deflection on Friday, added: “My message to the team is just leave no doubt.”

The same message can be applied to Indiana’s entire season. With one more game to go against Miami — an unlikely underdog trying to become the College Football Playoff’s version of March Madness’ 1985 Villanova Wildcats — the Hoosiers are four quarters away from being historically undeniable.

I suggest anyone who questioned Indiana at any juncture this season have a tall drink on hand to wash down one last serving of crow.