Indiana football is on the verge of history after producing one of the most dominant performances ever seen in a College Football Playoff semi-final.
The unbeaten Hoosiers dismantled Oregon 56–22 in the Peach Bowl, combining ruthless defence with clinical offence to book their place in the national championship game.
For a UK audience, the scale of this achievement cannot be overstated. This is the American college football equivalent of going an entire Premier League season unbeaten and then blowing away Europe’s elite in the Champions League knockout rounds.
How did Indiana football take control of the Peach Bowl so early?
The game was effectively decided almost as soon as it began. On Oregon’s very first offensive snap, Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted quarterback Dante Moore and returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown.
Just 11 seconds had elapsed, and the tone for the night was set.
From that moment on, Indiana’s defence dictated everything. Oregon struggled to move the ball, lost possession repeatedly and looked overwhelmed by the speed and organisation of the Hoosiers.
THE INDIANA HOOSIERS ARE HEADED TO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
It was ANNIHILATION in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/PwFdXHsQOB
— College Football Overtime (@CFB_Overtime) January 10, 2026
By half-time, Indiana led 35–7, having forced three first-half turnovers that directly led to points.
The Ducks were held to just nine rushing yards before the break, a staggering figure at this level of competition and one that underlined how completely Indiana controlled the line of scrimmage.
Why was Indiana’s defence the decisive factor?
Indiana’s defence has been elite all season, but this was arguably its most complete performance. Oregon entered the match as one of the most balanced attacks in college football, yet they were reduced to scrambling for solutions almost immediately.
Injuries played a role. Oregon were without its two leading running backs, Noah Whittington and Jordon Davison, leaving Moore exposed behind a struggling offensive line. However, even with a full-strength squad, the task would have been daunting.
Pressure came from everywhere. Moore was hurried into mistakes, stripped of the ball twice in the second quarter and repeatedly forced to throw under duress. Each error was punished without mercy.
For UK sports fans, the dynamic was similar to watching an international football side pressed relentlessly until mistakes become inevitable.
How important was Fernando Mendoza to Indiana football’s dominance?
While the defence laid the foundation, Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza ensured Indiana never loosened their grip.
Mendoza delivered an almost flawless performance, completing 17 of his 20 passes and throwing five touchdowns.
Crucially, he spread the ball around, demonstrating tactical maturity rather than reliance on a single star receiver. Elijah Sarratt caught two touchdown passes, while long scores to Charlie Becker and others kept Oregon guessing.
After the game, Mendoza credited the defence for creating breathing space early on, a view echoed by commentators across US broadcasters.
What adds an extra layer of intrigue is Mendoza’s background. He grew up in Miami, meaning the national championship game will be played in his home city, in front of friends and family, albeit wearing Indiana red.
Who will Indiana face in the national championship game?
Indiana will meet Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship on 19 January at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Miami secured its place with a narrow 31–27 win over Mississippi in the Fiesta Bowl semi-final.
Although Miami will enjoy home-state support, Indiana arrives as the clear momentum side.
Their 15–0 record includes emphatic wins over traditional powerhouses Alabama and Oregon, two programmes normally expected to dominate at this stage of the season.
Is Indiana one of the greatest college football teams ever?
That debate is already gathering pace in the United States. Indiana is attempting to deliver the Big Ten Conference a third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan in recent seasons, but their manner of victory has been particularly striking.
They crushed Alabama 38–3 in the Rose Bowl quarter-final and then dismantled Oregon by 34 points in the semi-final.
Few championship teams in the modern era have combined defensive dominance, offensive efficiency and consistency across an entire season in this way.
Should Indiana complete a perfect season with a championship win, their place among the sport’s all-time greats will be difficult to dispute.
What was the atmosphere like at the Peach Bowl?
Despite being played at a neutral venue, the stadium felt like an Indiana home game. The contest was a sell-out, with more than 75,000 in attendance, and red-clad Hoosiers supporters appeared to vastly outnumber Oregon fans.
The noise and energy mirrored Indiana’s dominance on the field, reinforcing the sense that this programme has captured national imagination well beyond its traditional fan base.
