The USC Trojans will, unfortunately, be watching the national championship game from home, but their 2026 Big Ten football opponent will have a shot to put the cherry on top of a spectacular season. Indiana has proven time and time again that it is the best team in the country; the Hoosiers get another opportunity to do so. Miami took down Ohio State, too, in the playoff, and in dominant fashion, but Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers will try to show they here to stay in their attempt to take over college football.
Here are my predictions for the national title game featuring the Big Ten football juggernaut from Indiana:
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Fernando Mendoza’s elite play continues
One thing that has been a guarantee this postseason has been Fernando Mendoza being deadly accurate and efficient. Mendoza only has 5 incompletions in the two College Football Playoff games he has dominated. While he has no real competition for being the top quarterback taken in this upcoming NFL Draft, he looks like a guy who can get the keys to an NFL franchise. I think Miami has a great defense, but Trinidad Chambliss was able to have success. I think Indiana can have similar success, and he will put up yet another masterclass performance. I think Mendoza will throw for 3 touchdowns and 250 yards through the air. He will keep his usual standard of 3 incompletions as well. The Raiders will love what they see from Mendoza in this game.
Carson Beck struggles mightily
Carson Beck was amazing in the last round’s game, and he was a big reason why Miami came out victorious. I think against the Hurricanes‘ defense, it will be a different story. The Hoosiers’ defense made Julian Sayin the most accurate quarterback in the country, struggling mightily. I think they will do the same to Beck. It will be clear who the best quarterback on the field is, and I think Beck will make that even clearer with a couple of turnovers given away to the Hoosiers.
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The Hoosiers trio of playmakers step up again
The return of Omar Cooper Jr. has been big for the Hoosiers’ playmakers. In the College Football Playoffs, the trio of Omar Cooper Jr., Elijah Sarratt, and Charlie Becker has been a nightmare for opposing defenses. Charlie Becker showed how dangerous he can be by himself in the Big Ten Championship game as he dominated Ohio State with 6 catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Sarratt dominated Oregon with 7 catches for 75 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cooper Jr. has been a great complement to those two in his return. Each of these receivers has had a touchdown in each of the two playoff games. Indiana will be successful against the Hurricanes’ elite pass rush because they have guys who can get open. This trio will continue their streak with each of them finding the endzone, but Omar Cooper Jr. will lead the way with 2 touchdowns and 100 yards receiving.
The Hoosiers offense has a great day against the Hurricanes elite defense
Ole Miss was able to find success with quick throws and tempo. I think Indiana can replicate that to some degree. I don’t think Indiana has a very dominant run game, but they are so strong through the air with an elite quarterback and elite weapons. I see this Indiana team continuing their formula for success and airing it out verus this team. It didn’t work as well for Ohio State, but I see this Indiana team taking down Miami with a great offensive day due to Mendoza having a great game and his weapons showing up for him.
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Curt Cignetti puts his name with the greats
There has not been a more impressive turnaround than what Cignetti has done at Indiana. He has led the Hoosiers on a dominant playoff run, and he and his team have a chance to put the icing on the cake. He has brought this team into relevance, and he has taken down the best teams in the country. When Curt Cignetti wins a national title for the first time at Indiana, he will undoubtedly be the best coach in college football. With Indiana making the transition from a basketball school to a Big Ten football powerhouse, there are not too many coaches who have a better resume than Cignetti. Cignetti is on the trajectory to have his name with the greats when it is all said and done. Indiana is not going anywhere either; this success could very well become the norm.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Indiana gets chance to make Big Ten football national champions again
