This marquee Big Ten matchup is the game of the week and could have significant Big 10 Conference title implications. Both teams enter this game with identical records. 5-0 overall and 2-0 in conference. Both teams have favorable schedules after this game.
Neither have another ranked team on the schedule after this week. With the big four in the Big 10 being Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan and Indiana. All of which expected to continue their winning ways, creating a possible log jam in the standings when the season nears its end.
The loser of this game could find themselves in a difficult situation as they move towards a conference title game. #1 Ohio State, the frontrunner, does not have either team on their schedule this year. Whoever wins this game should be a favorite to make the College Football Playoff.
Dan Lanning’s creative offense vs Curt Cignetti’s zone defense
Dan Lanning’s Ducks have had explosive potential on offense throughout his tenure in Eugene. Evident in the games they’ve played to this point in 2025. Their lowest point total came vs Penn State, where they won 30-24.
They have averaged a shade over 50 points over the previous four games. Conversely, Indiana runs more zone coverage than any other team in the nation. Indiana also runs a fair amount of simulated pressure and has a tendency to rotate their safeties post snap. The combination of which could create confusion post snap for Oregon.
Dante Moore vs Fernando Mendoza
According to Fox Sports, Dante Moore has the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy. Fernando Mendoza is also on that list currently running as the 6th best odds to win the award. With good reason as both are putting up similarly impressive numbers from the quarterback position. Moore is over 1,200 yards, 14 touchdowns and an interception on 74% passing while Mendoza also has slightly over 1,200 yards, 16 touchdowns and 1 interception on 73% passing.
Both QBs have the ability to take over a game and the better performer in this game is likely to improve their NFL draft stock. The question in this matchup is can either defense apply enough designed pressure to affect either quarterback in this game.
Defense: Designed pressure vs post snap changes
As previously mentioned, designed pressure vs post snap changes could dictate the winner of this game. Moore has been very good against zone coverage in the first half of the season and Mendoza is a quarterback that can pick defenses apart if left unpressured.
With a clean pocket Mendoza is one of the best quarterbacks in the country. When facing a blitz, Mendoza ranks among the middle of the pack. Oregon’s defense is backend heavy. Their secondary is better than their front. Especially when gauging pressure rates. Oregon ranks outside the top 50 when it comes to pressuring the quarterback.
Indiana getting to Moore could be more about post snap changes than specifically blitzing. Indiana creates shifts and multiple looks with their defense. In order to affect Moore, Indiana could find it more successful with post snap changes in their zone scheme than if they just sent the blitz often. This could come down to how much Oregon blitzes Indiana vs how well Indiana can disguise their coverage.
No. 7 Indiana vs. No. 3 Oregon kicks off from Autzen Stadium in Eugene Oregon at 3:30pm easter, 3:30 p.m. ET airing on CBS.
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