As the college football season winds down and conference championship weekend approaches, the second-ranked Indiana continue to showcase its dominance as one of the last remaining unbeaten teams.
With growing momentum and confidence in the locker room, the Hoosiers now face a realistic path to running the table for the rest of the season. They escaped an upset bid with their 27-24 win over Penn State on Saturday. It was a late-season test and is often referred to as a “trap” game.
The Hoosiers were obvious favorites to win, but complacency almost got the best of them. Fernando Mendoza has been outstanding all season long and led Indiana down the field for the game-winning drive. He connected with Omar Cooper Jr. For what is arguably the best catch of the year for his only touchdown.
Mendoza near the top of the Heisman projections
Mendoza has pieced together a strong Heisman campaign this season. He has thrown for 2,342 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and five interceptions with an 88.1 quarterback rating, good for fourth in the nation. Throughout the season, he delivered when he needed to. His 6-foot-5 225-pound frame allows him to stand in the pocket and see the whole field.
In both ranked games this season, Mendoza has six touchdowns to one interception. A good part of Indiana’s success is due to his stellar quarterback performance. Mendoza is first in the Heisman race with Ohio State’s Julian Saiyan close behind, according to multiple projections.
Another part of the Hoosiers’ success has come from their two-headed monster Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Indiana averages 5.5 yards per carry on the heels of a dominant rushing attack. Both Hemby and Black have accumulated over 600 rushing yards this season. Before the injury to Lee Beebe Jr., the three backs combined for over 200 yards in each of the first two games of the season.
Hoosiers defense hold up their end of the bargain
Indiana is ranked fifth in total defense. They are third in points allowed per game, allowing 13.4 points while only allowing 257.1 yards per game. The Hoosiers are physical and fly around the field. The defensive front has racked up 31 sacks and have averaged 8.5 tackles for loss per game, which is second in the country.
With two wins against ranked opponents and a season full of dominating wins, Indiana is a strong favorite to win the national championship. They're looking for a return trip to the College Football Playoff and have the experience. If they win their last two games, they'll likely face Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, assuming the Buckeyes win out as well. The Hoosiers have proven they are ready for big games, but how can they show up against the defending national champs? Let's see how this all plays out in the coming weeks.
No. 2 Indiana hosts Wisconsin on Saturday (Noon, BTN).
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