Indiana football is heading to Pasadena - and they’re not just going for the pageantry.
The Hoosiers, riding high at 13-0 and led by newly crowned Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, are the top seed in the College Football Playoff. That means they’re headed to the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, where they'll face the winner of tonight’s first-round clash between No.
8 Oklahoma and No. 9 Alabama.
Let’s break down what’s next for Indiana, how the CFP bracket is shaping up, and what fans can expect as the road to the national championship heats up.
Next Stop: The Rose Bowl
Indiana’s perfect season has earned them the No. 1 ranking in the country, and with it, a direct ticket to the quarterfinals. As the top seed, the Hoosiers are slotted into the Rose Bowl - a classic setting for a program writing a new chapter in its history.
Their opponent will be decided tonight when Oklahoma and Alabama square off at 8 p.m. ET. Both teams bring heavyweight pedigrees and postseason experience, but whoever emerges will have their hands full on Jan. 1 against a red-hot Indiana squad.
Circle your calendars: kickoff for the Rose Bowl is set for **4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan.
1, 2026**. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
The Road to Miami: CFP Bracket Breakdown
This year’s expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format is delivering drama right out of the gate. Here's how the bracket looks as the postseason gets underway:
First Round - Dec. 19-20
- No. 9 Alabama (10-3) at **No.
8 Oklahoma (10-2)** - 8 p.m. ET Friday, Dec.
19 (ABC/ESPN)
- **No.
10 Miami (10-2)** at No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1) - Noon ET Saturday, Dec.
20 (ABC/ESPN)
- **No.
11 Tulane (11-2)** at No. 6 Ole Miss (11-1) - 3:30 p.m.
ET Saturday, Dec. 20 (TNT/HBO)
- No. 12 James Madison (12-1) at **No.
5 Oregon (11-1)** - 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Dec.
20 (TNT/HBO)
The winners of these matchups advance to the quarterfinals, where the top four seeds - Indiana, Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas Tech - await.
**Quarterfinals - Dec. 31-Jan.
1**
- **No.
2 Ohio State (12-1)** vs. Texas A&M/Miami winner - Cotton Bowl, 7:30 p.m.
ET Wednesday, Dec. 31 (ESPN)
- No. 4 Texas Tech (12-1) vs.
Oregon/James Madison winner - Orange Bowl, Noon ET Thursday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)
- No. 1 Indiana (13-0) vs.
Alabama/Oklahoma winner - Rose Bowl, 4 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan.
1 (ESPN)
- **No.
3 Georgia (12-1)** vs. Ole Miss/Tulane winner - Sugar Bowl, 8 p.m.
ET Thursday, Jan. 1 (ESPN)
Semifinals - Jan. 8-9
- Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ - 7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, Jan.
8 (ESPN)
- Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA - 7:30 p.m.
ET Friday, Jan. 9 (ESPN)
National Championship - Jan. 19
- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami - 7:30 p.m. ET Monday, Jan.
19 (ESPN)
How the CFP Format Works
This year marks the first full implementation of the 12-team College Football Playoff structure. Here's how it shakes out:
- The field includes the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams.
- The top four overall seeds earn a first-round bye and are placed directly into the quarterfinals.
That’s where Indiana, as the No. 1 seed, finds itself.
- Seeds 5 through 12 play in the first round, with the higher seed hosting.
- The CFP committee assigns quarterfinal matchups based on rankings and traditional bowl ties - hence Indiana landing in the Rose Bowl.
- From there, it’s a straight bracket.
No reseeding, no adjustments. Just win and advance.
Indiana’s Moment
For Indiana, this isn’t just a playoff run - it’s a historic opportunity. After taking down Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship and capping a perfect regular season, the Hoosiers aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. They're the hunted now.
Fernando Mendoza has been electric all year, and with the Heisman now in his trophy case, he’ll look to lead IU into Pasadena with the same poise and fire that’s powered their undefeated run. Whether it’s Oklahoma or Alabama lining up across from them, Indiana will be facing a battle-tested opponent. But this is the kind of stage they’ve earned - and the kind of moment that defines legacies.
Traveling to the Rose Bowl?
Indiana fans looking to make the trip can take advantage of a three-night travel package to Southern California, starting at $1,995. Game tickets are available as an add-on.
The road to a national title is officially underway. Indiana’s got the top seed, the Heisman winner, and a shot to make history. Now it’s time to see if the Hoosiers can finish what they’ve started.