The Indiana Hoosiers are on the brink of something truly special.
With one game left in their undefeated season, Indiana is preparing to take the field in the College Football Playoff national championship - and if their postseason dominance so far is any indication, they’re not just showing up to play; they’re showing up to make history.
Let’s talk about the numbers first, because they’re staggering. In their two playoff matchups - against Alabama and Oregon, no less - the Hoosiers outscored their opponents by a combined 94-25.
That’s not just winning; that’s dismantling two of the most respected programs in college football. And it’s the kind of performance that’s starting to draw some serious comparisons.
Yes, people are starting to mention the 2025 Hoosiers in the same breath as the 2019 LSU Tigers - a team that set the gold standard for modern college football excellence. That LSU squad was loaded with NFL-bound stars like Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson, and they steamrolled their way to a national title, beating seven top-10 teams and averaging a 26.5-point margin of victory along the way. That’s the level Indiana is flirting with right now.
But here’s what makes this Indiana team so compelling: they’re not shying away from the moment. They’re embracing it.
Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was asked how this Hoosiers team would stack up against those legendary Tigers. His answer?
A confident, measured prediction: “24-21 Indiana.” No trash talk, just belief - and a nod to the kind of tight, high-level battle that only elite teams can deliver.
Cooper’s earned the right to speak with that kind of confidence. He’s been one of Indiana’s most reliable weapons all season, leading the team with 64 catches for 866 yards and 13 touchdowns, plus another score on the ground.
He’s part of a loaded offensive unit that includes Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza and dynamic wideout Elijah Sarratt. And on the other side of the ball, guys like D’Angelo Ponds and Mikail Kamara have anchored a defense that’s been just as dominant.
This Indiana team isn’t just a feel-good story or a Cinderella run. They’re a complete squad, with NFL-caliber talent on both sides of the ball, a Heisman winner under center, and a level of execution that’s made even powerhouse programs look outmatched.
Now, with the national title game looming, the Hoosiers have one more chance to cement their place in college football lore. If they can finish the job, don’t be surprised if those 2019 LSU comparisons get a little louder - and a lot more real.